11/19/2007

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Jerryd Bayless scored 20 points and added nine assists and nine rebounds, and Arizona defeated UMKC 81-62 on Monday night.

Bayless, a freshman from Phoenix, has led the Wildcats in scoring in two of his first three college games. Bayless hit 5-of-7 shots from the floor and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Daniel Dillon scored a career-high 14 points, hitting all four of his field goal attempts, including three 3-pointers, and all three of his free throws. Jordan Hill added 14 points for the Wildcats (2-1), who shot 64.1 percent from the floor.

"I felt good shooting the ball tonight," said Dillon. "I love the intensity of the game, and it was good to get to (get a start) tonight. I just kept shooting from warm-ups right into the game."

Brent Stephens scored 16 points and Reggie Hamilton added 11 for UMKC (1-3).

Early on, the listless Wildcats struggled against a team that lost its opener to Kansas by 23 points and lost by 15 at Northern Arizona on Saturday night. UMKC went on a 16-5 run midway through the first half to take a 20-16 lead with 6:44 to play.

Arizona regained the lead on a 7-0 run by Bayless, who hit a 3-point shot and made four straight free throws in a 42-second span.

Arizona led 37-29 at halftime despite having nearly as many turnovers (9) as field goals (11). The Kangaroos dominated the paint, outscoring Arizona 13-0 on second-chance points.

The Wildcats found their stride offensively after halftime. Bayless, Chase Budinger and Laval Lucas-Perry each hit 3-pointers to spark a 12-4 run that gave Arizona a comfortable 49-33 lead three minutes into the second half.

"I liked the strides we made today, as we keep up our shot efficiency and stay tough on the defensive end," said Arizona interim head coach Kevin O'Neill. "We had 22 assists on 25 baskets, and we¡¯re starting to share the ball"

The Wildcats needed a game against an overmatched opponent. They had lost five of their last six home games against major conference opponents, including a 75-72 loss to Virginia on Saturday night. Arizona dropped out of the Associated Press Top 25 a few hours before tip-off on Monday.

It was Arizona's third game under O'Neill, who took control when Lute Olson went on a personal leave of absence.