Santa Clara Falls to Arizona in Third Round of Las Vegas Invite

Arizona made 18 of 24 free throws in the second half and hit nine three-pointers to pull away from Santa Clara 82-59 on Friday night in the third round of the IBN Sports Las Vegas Invitational. Santa Clara is 4-2 and Arizona is 5-0.

Santa Clara returns on Saturday to play Ohio at 4:30 pm in its final game of the IBN Sports Las Vegas Invitational.  Arizona will take on No. 6 Kansas following the Broncos game.

Santa Clara shot 48.1 percent from the field (25 of 52), including 23.1 percent from the three-point line (3 of 13). They collected 30 rebounds, nine assists, seven steals and two blocks.  Santa Clara hit 6 of 9 free throws. Arizona shot 46.9 percent from the field (23 of 49), including 47.4 percent from the three-point line (I of 19). The Wildcats collected 30 rebounds, 13 assists, six steals and two blocks. Arizona hit 27 of 34 free throws.  Santa Clara had a season-high 24 turnovers and Arizona had 17.

Individually Santa Clara was led by Marc Trasolini's 19 points and Kevin Foster's 13.  Robert Smith added nine.  Niyi Harrison scored a team-high six rebounds.  Foster had four assists, but also seven turnovers.  For the Wildcats, they had four scorers in double-figures including Derrick Williams (22) and Solomon Hill (20). Hill was 10 of 12 from the free throw line.

Santa Clara jumped out to a 4-0 lead on two baskets by Trasolini.  Arizona tied it up 4-4.  After a nice pass from Smith, Roquemore scored under the basket at 11:35.  The Wildcats jumped out to a 15-10 led at 11:25 with two free throws.  Smith hit a three-pointer at 10:12 and then laid it up after a steal to give the Broncos a 16-15 lead at 9:39.  Timeout Wildcats.

The Wildcats came out of the timeout to go on a 10-0 run to take a 24-16 at 6:45, including five free throws.  Harrison hit a free throw to snap the run at 6:44.  Parrom crushed a three to give the 'Cats a 27-17 lead at 6:19. 

Foster hit a basket and then Parrom hit another three to make it 30-19 at 4:12.  Foster hit a three, but Hill answered with a layup.  Trasolini answered with one of his own and then Arizona hit two free throws to go back up 10.  Foster hit a four-foot jumper and then Smith drove to the basket for a basket to make it 34-28 at 2:20.  The teams went to break with Arizona up 34-28.

Santa Clara shot 47.8 percent in the first half (11 of 23), including 2 of 6 from beyond the arc.  Santa Clara was four of seven from the free throw line with 14 rebounds.  Foster had nine points and Smith and Trasolini both added seven.  Arizona shot 45.8 percent (11-24) and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc (3-7).  The Wildcats were 9 of 10 from the free throw line with 14 rebounds.  Parrom led the Wildcats with 11 points.

The Wildcats went up 47-36 on six straight free throws at 15:34.  Foster answered with a five-foot jumper at 15:25.  Hill hit five of six free throws to make it 51-38 Arizona.  Arizona went up 16 when it stole the ball under its own basket and scored and later hit a free throw at 11:59.

Trasolini slammed one home to make it 56-42 at 9:54 and Williams answered with two more free throws to make it 58-42 at 9:28.  Horne scored on a dunk and Foster and Trasolini answered at 8:54 and 8:24, respectively.  Trasolini scored and then Horne did again, 66-48 Arizona at 6:45. 

Hill hit two free throws, followed up with a bucket and then Horne hit a three, 73-48 Wildcats at 4:11. It was their largest lead of the night thus far and the 'Cats were on a 13-2 run.

Roquemore cut the run with a three and then Trasolini and Foster scored.  Arizona hit back-to-back threes between the Bronco baskets to push the lead to 79-55 at 2:32.  Trasolini drove the lane and scored at 1:59.  John McArthur backed up the defender to score at 1:07.