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Come Fan with UsWednesday, August 5, 2026

Arizona vs. New Mexico State final score: Wildcats win first game as AP No. 1, 74-48

Arizona overcame 18 points from Daniel Mullings to keep their undefeated mark intact.

Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona outmuscled New Mexico St. Wednesday, using their superior frontcourt strength to roll up a 74-48 victory. Forward Brandon Ashley and seven-foot center Kaleb Tarczewski combined to go 10-12 from the field and score 29 points. Aggies guard Daniel Mullings did most of the work on offense for New Mexico, scoring 18 points in a losing effort.

Up 21-20 in the first half, the Wildcats ripped off an 11-4 run to close out the period. State was never again competitive, allowing Arizona to shoot better than 50 percent from the field. The Wildcats dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Aggies 38-22. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 12 points and eight boards off the bench, making his case as the best sixth man in the country.

Wednesday’s game was the first that Arizona played after taking over the top spot in the AP Poll. This is their first foray into the top spot under Sean Miller and the first time overall since 2003. The Wildcats travel to Ann Arbor to play Michigan on Saturday.

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