PHOENIX (Interstat) — No. 1 Arizona used a dominant second half to pull away from San Diego State for a 68-45 men’s basketball victory Saturday at Grand Canyon University Arena. The Wildcats, now 11-0, outscored the Aztecs 40-18 after halftime. San Diego State, which fell to 6-4, led briefly early but was held to 18 second-half points. Arizona’s balanced attack featured 11 points each from Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat. Ivan Kharchenkov added 10 points for the Wildcats. Miles Byrd led the Aztecs with seven points. A crowd of 10,567 saw Arizona maintain its perfect start to the season.

PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Arizona Wildcats, showcasing their depth and defensive dominance, remained undefeated with a decisive 68-45 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday night at Grand Canyon University Arena. A crowd of 10,567 saw the Wildcats improve to 11-0, while the Aztecs fell to 6-4. The game was never in doubt after halftime, as Arizona turned a one-point lead into a rout with a suffocating second-half performance. The most important part of the game was Arizona’s overwhelming defensive effort, particularly after the break. The Wildcats held San Diego State to just 18 points in the second half, a season-low for any half by an Arizona opponent. The Aztecs’ offensive struggles were profound, managing only 45 points total, their lowest output of the season and a stark contrast to the 81 points they scored in their previous outing. Arizona led 28-27 at halftime in a sloppy, low-scoring affair that saw both teams struggle from the field. The Wildcats seized control immediately after the intermission, opening the second half on a 14-4 run to build a 42-31 lead. The surge was fueled by transition baskets and relentless defensive pressure that forced San Diego State into contested shots and turnovers. The Wildcats’ balanced attack was led by Jaden Bradley, who finished with 11 points. He was one of six Arizona players to score between nine and 11 points, highlighting the team’s distributed scoring. Koa Peat and Anthony Dell’Orso each added 11 points, while Ivan Kharchenkov and Brayden Burries contributed 10 apiece. Tobe Awaka provided a strong interior presence with nine points and multiple key rebounds. San Diego State, which entered the game having won three straight, was led by Miles Byrd’s seven points. Pharaoh Compton added six points and two blocks, but the Aztecs could not sustain any offensive rhythm against Arizona’s size and athleticism. The Wildcats’ 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas anchored the paint with three blocks, altering countless other attempts. Arizona’s defensive intensity never wavered, holding San Diego State to a frigid shooting performance. The Wildcats also dominated the glass, securing key offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points and extended possessions that wore down the Aztec defense. The victory continued Arizona’s strong start to the season, which includes notable wins over Alabama, Auburn and Connecticut. San Diego State will look to rebound quickly as it faces Whittier on Monday before resuming Mountain West Conference play. Arizona will host Bethune-Cookman on Monday in its final tune-up before a challenging stretch of Big 12 Conference games begins in January.

PHOENIX (Interstat) — The undefeated and fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats put their perfect record on the line Saturday when they host the San Diego State Aztecs in a high-profile nonconference men’s basketball showdown at Grand Canyon University Arena. Arizona (10-0) has been dominant, winning every game by double digits and averaging 92.8 points. Their resume includes impressive road victories at then-Alabama (96-75) and a neutral-site win over then-Connecticut (71-67). Sophomore guard Brayden Burries has been a catalyst, scoring 20 or more points in four of his last five games, including a 28-point performance against the Crimson Tide. San Diego State (6-3) enters on a three-game winning streak but has faced struggles against top competition, falling to Baylor and Michigan by a combined 50 points. The Aztecs will rely on the hot hand of guard BJ Davis, who is averaging 17.8 points over his last five contests. He posted 19 points and six assists in Wednesday’s 81-58 rout of Air Force. The game represents a significant opportunity for the Aztecs to secure a season-defining victory and for the Wildcats to bolster their NCAA tournament portfolio with another quality win. Arizona’s high-powered offense, which has topped 96 points in four of its last five games, will test a San Diego State defense that has allowed an average of just 62.3 points during its current win streak. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MST on Saturday, Dec. 20. Arizona will look to maintain its momentum before hosting Bethune-Cookman on Monday, while San Diego State continues a tough stretch before returning home to face Whittier.