Arizona trounces Texas Southern to advance to round of 32: By the Numbers
Mar 19, 2015, 8:55 PM | Updated: 9:11 pm
Brackets may be in ashes across the country as the round of 64 kicked off Thursday, but the No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats were immune to upset fever, making quick work of No. 15 seed Texas Southern in their 93-72 victory.
Arizona will face the winner of VCU/Ohio State on Saturday.
Shooting scorching percentages from both the field and the free-throw line, the Wildcats never trailed in their tournament opener, mounting a 54-33 lead at halftime that effectively put the game to bed, ending all hope for a miraculous upset.
Below is a look at Arizona’s convincing second round win, by the numbers:
60.4
The Wildcats couldn’t miss against Tigers of Texas Southern, shooting 60.4 percent from the field, including 45.5 percent from three-point land.
54
The number of points the Wildcats had at halftime, marking the most points they’ve scored in the first half this season. Arizona shot a staggering 69 percent from the field en route to their 54-point first half effort.
24-27
As automatic as the ‘Cats were from the field, they were markedly better from the charity stripe, converting 24 of their 27 free throw attempts. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the way for the ‘Cats on the foul line, making 9-of-10 attempts.
10
Speaking of Hollis-Jefferson, the sophomore forward was not only active in the scoring and rebounding columns, leading the team in both categories with 23 points and 10 boards, but was also active in the shimmie ledger. According to CBS’ unofficial count, Hollis-Jefferson registered 10 shimmies vs. the Tigers.
When the game is a blowout you count shimmies #BearDown pic.twitter.com/LzubKJwvtE
— Leo (@LBoogie5) March 19, 2015
5
All five Wildcat starters scored in double figures Thursday. In addition to Hollis-Jefferson’s game-high 23 points, freshman Stanley Johnson poured in 22 while Brandon Ashley, Kaleb Tarczewski and T.J. McConnell each scored 14, 13 and 12 points, respectively.
15-2
Arizona used a 15-2 run to open the game and leave Texas Southern in the dust. Hollis-Jefferson and Ashley each chipped in four points a piece over the course of the run.
