S³ SWEET SCIENCE SPORTS | NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
FINAL
Cal Poly84
1–1
Arizona104
1–1
Arizona delivered an impressive offensive performance against Cal Poly, scoring 104 points while shooting 55% from the field.
The Wildcats didn't need an impressive three-point shooting performance to win. They made just four three-pointers compared with Cal Poly's 16, but dominated the interior, outscoring the Mustangs 56–26 in the paint.
S³ Game Standouts
Motiejus Krivas | Arizona
30 PTS · 8 REB · 2 BLK
10-of-13 FG | 10-of-12 FT | 23 minutes
Krivas was outstanding. He scored 30 points in just 23 minutes, making nearly 77% of his field goals.
Ivan Kharchenkov | Arizona
16 PTS · 10 REB · 7 AST
4 steals | 1 turnover
Arguably the most complete performance of the game. Kharchenkov contributed in nearly every statistical category.
Hamad Mousa | Cal Poly
30 PTS · 8 THREES
10-of-14 FG | 8-of-10 3PT
Mousa delivered a spectacular shooting performance despite the loss.
Team Statistics
| Category | Cal Poly | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | 44% | 55% |
| 3PT | 16–37 | 4–14 |
| FT | 10–21 | 28–36 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 44 |
| Assists | 15 | 22 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 13 |
| Points off TO | 13 | 25 |
| Paint points | 26 | 56 |
S³ Analysis
Arizona's interior play was the deciding factor. Krivas was extremely effective near the basket, and freshman Caleb Holt added 21 points and eight rebounds. Kharchenkov's versatility gave the Wildcats another dimension.
Cal Poly's perimeter shooting was exceptional. Hamad Mousa made eight three-pointers, while Jason Scott added five more. Together, they accounted for 13 of the Mustangs' 16 made threes.
Yet Arizona controlled the areas that ultimately mattered most: rebounding, points in the paint, free-throw production and points off turnovers.
The Wildcats still have work to do from beyond the arc. Four makes on 14 attempts won't always be enough against better competition. But their ability to score 104 points without relying on perimeter shooting is encouraging.
S³ Final Assessment
Arizona showed the ingredients of a dangerous team: interior size, efficient scoring, rebounding and multiple offensive contributors. Krivas was the scoring standout, while Kharchenkov demonstrated his all-around value.
The Wildcats won by 20 despite being outscored by 36 points from three-point range.
That's the statistic that tells the story of this game.
S³ | Where Intelligence Meets Impact
