Arizona dropped a spot in the polls this week without losing a game, but the Wildcats showed why they’re still considered one of the best teams in the country on Monday at the Maui Invitational. Behind big games from wings Rondae Holllis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson, No. 3 Arizona cruised to a 72-53 victory over Missouri in Hawaii.
Arizona vs. Missouri final score: Wildcats win to set up matchup vs. Kansas State
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s 15 points led the way for Arizona.
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Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Arizona’s win sets up a second-round meeting with Kansas State after the other Wildcats took out Purdue earlier in the day.
Hollis-Jefferson came off the bench to score a game-high 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting to lead Sean Miller’s team. Johnson, Arizona’s highly touted freshman wing, shot 4-of-9 from the field to finish with 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. Both players were making plays above the rim:
Brandon Ashley also added 15 points for Arizona in the win.
Arizona can credit its defense for getting the job done. The Tigers only shot 36.4 percent from the floor and finished the night 3-of-13 from three-point range. The Wildcats also forced the Tigers into 17 turnovers. It was the first power conference team the Wildcats have played this season.
Mizzou falls to 2-2 with the loss. Freshman Montaque Gill-Caesar had 13 points for the Tigers.
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