Ashley, Hollis-Jefferson shine in Arizona opener

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


Brandon Ashley pours in 21 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson nets 15 points as second-ranked Arizona rolls over Mount St. Mary's 78-55 tonight at McKale Center. Ashley hits 9 of 10 from the field and Hollis-Jefferson cans 6 of 8 shots as the Wildcats open the 2014-15 season with a lopsided win.

It took a little while for the Wildcats to shake Mount St. Mary's, but Arizona finished the first half on a 12-0 run and led by 40-25 at intermission. The Wildcats substituted freely in the second half and outscored Mount St. Mary's 38-30. Kaleb Tarczewski also finished in double figures for the Wildcats -- missing a double-double by just one point. Tarczewski finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.

T.J. McConnell led the Wildcats in assists with seven, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright made the most out of his limited action with eight points, hitting 3 of 4 shots from the field and adding two assists -- one of which led to a thunderous dunk in the second half by Hollis-Jefferson.

Arizona (1-0) takes on Cal State Northridge on Sunday at McKale. Tip-off 6:00 p.m.