Arizona Wildcats Surge Ahead with 47-32 Halftime Lead

UPDATE: The Arizona Wildcats, currently ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25, have surged to a 47-32 halftime lead against Norfolk State at McKale Center on Saturday. Center Motiejus Krivas played a pivotal role, scoring 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds to ignite the Wildcats after a sluggish start.

The Wildcats, entering the game with an impressive 5-0 record, struggled initially, missing five of their first six shots. Norfolk State capitalized, taking an early lead and going up 8-7 into the first media timeout. The Spartans managed to hold the lead several times throughout the first half, going up by as much as 26-25 before Arizona rallied back.

A critical moment occurred with just over five minutes left in the half when Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov twisted his left ankle, requiring assistance off the court. His absence could impact the Wildcats’ momentum moving forward, as he did not return to the bench for the remainder of the half.

Despite the early challenges, the Wildcats found their rhythm, launching a decisive 16-4 run that propelled them into a commanding double-digit lead. While Arizona managed to shoot 53.6% from the field, they struggled with their three-point shooting, missing all five attempts.

As the teams head into the second half, all eyes will be on whether Arizona can maintain their lead and how they will adjust to Kharchenkov’s potential absence. Fans are eagerly anticipating the Wildcats’ performance as they aim to extend their undefeated streak.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story. Contact sports reporter Bruce Pascoe at [email protected] for more insights.