Wildcats win Pac-12 opener

Arizona Wildcats Basketball


The 18th-ranked Arizona Wildcats, down 32-26 at the half, outscored the Golden Bears by 11 in the second half and beat California  67-62 at Haas Pavillion in Berkeley tonight to pick up an important Pac-12 Conference road win.

The Wildcats win their Pac-12 opener thanks in part to Kobi Simmons, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, while three of his teammates also scored in double figures with Dusan Ristic leading the way with 16 points. Laura Markkanen netted 13 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double and Rawle Alkins chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.

Arizona, down by as many as 13 points early in the first half, improved its field goal shooting in the second half and finished with a 44.4 field goal percentage. The Wildcats out rebounded the Golden Bears, 40-35.

Point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright returned to action for the Wildcats tonight. PJC dished out four assists, grabbed four rebounds and no turnovers in 20 minutes of action.

The Wildcats improve to 12-2 and now own a 1-0 slate in the Pac-12.

Way to go, Wildcats!