No. 5 Men’s Basketball Downs Augustana in Exhibition Action

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nick Johnson and Gabe York scored 14 points apiece to lead five Arizona players in double figures as the Wildcats defeated Augustana, 84-52, on Monday in exhibition action.

UA shot 50.9 percent from the floor as a team, while committing only five turnovers on the night. T.J. McConnell, in his first competitive action for Arizona after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, posted 12 points and eight assists without turning the ball over. Center Kaleb Tarczewski chipped in with 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while freshman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 10 points in his collegiate debut.

As proficient as Arizona’s offensive effort was on Monday, its defensive prowess was also on display for the 13,340 in attendance for the Wildcats’ lone exhibition game at McKale Center. UA forced Augustana into 16 turnovers, capitalizing for 23 points off those miscues, and raced out to a 20-0 advantage in fast break points.

Hollis-Jefferson, McConnell and Jordin Mayes each had three steals to make up the bulk of Arizona’s 12 thefts on the night. Brandon Ashley and Matt Korcheck had three blocks apiece on Monday as the Wildcats piled up eight for the game.

In addition to Tarczewski’s team-leading seven boards, Ashley and freshmen Aaron Gordon and Elliott Pitts each contributed five rebounds as the Wildcats finished even with Augustana on the glass at 39-39.

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