11/20/2000

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) - Top-ranked Arizona, playing without preseason All-American Loren Woods, opened its season on Novmeber 20 with a 97-57 victory over Chaminade in the opening round of the Maui Invitational.

Woods, a 7-foot-1 senior center, did not make the trip with the team after being suspended for six games for an undisclosed NCAA violation.

The Wildcats didn't miss him against the Division II Silverswords, playing their first game under coach Aaron Greiss.

Arizona, which finished second in its two previous Maui Invitational appearances, advanced to Tuesday's semifinals and faces the winner of the game between No. 13 Connecticut and Dayton.

Richard Jefferson had 16 points to lead the Wildcats, while Michael Wright and Gilbert Arenas had 15 each, Eugene Edgerson had 13 and Jason Gardner 12.

Wright set a tournament record with 19 rebounds as the Wildcats finished with a 57-28 advantage on the boards. He broke the record of 18 rebounds set by Ron Reis of Santa Clara against Iowa State in 1990.

C.J. Cowgill had 16 points and Robert Watson added 14 for the Silverswords.

Arizona used its size and speed advantage to take control with a 19-0 run in the first half, taking a 29-8 lead with 10:09 to play. Jefferson had seven points in the run, which saw Chaminade go scoreless for 6:46. Arizona led 51-27 at halftime.

A 16-2 run in the second half, capped by a 3-pointer by Jefferson, gave the Wildcats an 81-44 lead with 9:05 remaining. They went on to lead by as many as 41 points.

The last time Chaminade played a No. 1-ranked team was in 1982 when it beat Virginia, led by center Ralph Sampson, 77-72.

The loss dropped the Silverswords record to 3-44 in the 17 years it has served as host of the tournament.