TUCSON, Ariz. — Anthony Dell’Orso tallied a personal-best 22 markers as a reserve, while Ivan Kharchenkov contributed 18 more, as No. 4 Arizona recovered following its initial pair of season defeats, vanquishing No. 23 BYU 75-68 this past Wednesday evening.
Arizona (24-2, 11-2 Big 12) commenced its campaign with 23 successive victories, occupying the top national spot for nine consecutive weeks prior to suffering consecutive defeats against No. 9 Kansas and No. 16 Texas Tech.
Dell’Orso, a 6-foot-6 Australian, assisted the Wildcats in returning to victorious ways by converting 8 of 15 attempts from the floor, which encompassed 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.
BYU (19-7, 7-6) found its principal scorer in first-year sensation AJ Dybantsa, who amassed 35 markers, making 13 of 28 shots. This 6-foot-9 frontcourt player surpassed the 30-point mark for the sixth occasion this campaign.
The Cougars faced their inaugural contest sans their starting guard Richie Saunders, having sustained an ACL tear during a 90-86 extra-period triumph against Colorado last Saturday. His participation for the remainder of the season is concluded.
Arizona did not fall behind throughout the second half and gradually extended their advantage, establishing a 66-50 margin courtesy of Dell’Orso’s three-point shot when 6 minutes and 40 seconds remained. BYU narrowed the gap to 73-68 with only 1 minute and 5 seconds left, yet failed to approach further.
Dell’Orso sank a three-pointer from the corner as the halftime buzzer sounded, providing Arizona with a 42-35 lead.
Arizona competed minus starting forward Koa Peat and reserve guard Dwayne Aristode. The institution announced Peat’s absence from Saturday’s contest as well, due to a muscular ailment in his lower extremity. His condition will undergo reassessment the following week.
Aristode was absent for his second successive match due to malady.