The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Caleb Holt Leads No. 12 Arizona Past Auburn, 80-69
By Piper Rampage
AUBURN, Ala. — Freshman Caleb Holt delivered a standout performance in his return to his home state, scoring 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds as No. 12 Arizona defeated Auburn 80-69 at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, on Friday night.
Holt also recorded five steals, helping Arizona improve to 3-1. Ivan Kharchenkov added 19 points and eight rebounds, Motiejus Krivas finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Derek Dixon scored 11, according to the Associated Press.
Arizona took a 36-32 lead into halftime after outscoring Auburn 36-32 in the opening period. The Wildcats then opened the second half with a 10-0 run in under three minutes, building a 14-point advantage. Holt and Krivas each converted a three-point play during the stretch, according to the AP.
Auburn, however, fought back. The Tigers connected on four 3-pointers to erase the deficit and tie the game at 53-53. They eventually took a 61-59 lead with 7:12 remaining.
Arizona responded after Auburn tied the score at 61. Kharchenkov’s layup at the 6:20 mark broke the tie and helped spark a 9-0 run. He scored five points and assisted during the stretch, according to the AP. His 3-pointer with 5:20 left extended Arizona’s lead to 68-61.
The Wildcats closed the game on a 19-8 run, according to the AP and USA Today, pulling away for the 11-point victory. Arizona outscored Auburn 44-37 in the second half.
Thomas Dowd led Auburn with 15 points and nine rebounds, shooting 4-of-5 from 3-point range, according to the AP. The Tigers fell to 2-1.
The loss also ended a significant home streak for Auburn. The Tigers had won 69 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents before falling to Arizona, the AP reported.
Arizona finished 18-of-22 from the free-throw line, an 82% mark, while Auburn made 12-of-20 attempts for 60%. Auburn shot 35% from the field, and Arizona held a 49-37 advantage in rebounds, according to the AP.
Arizona improved to 3-1 with the win, while Auburn dropped to 2-1.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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