Arizona routs Oregon State
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tucson, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Arizona's second go-round without Brandon Ashley was a lot easier than its first.
Aaron Gordon had 17 points and five rebounds and the second-ranked Wildcats routed Oregon State, 76-54, on Sunday night.
The 6-foot-8 sophomore Ashley will miss the rest of the season after suffering a foot injury in last Saturday's loss to California. He was averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 22 games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Arizona missed his rebounding presence in its 67-65 triumph over Oregon Thursday.
The Wildcats (23-1, 10-1 Pac-12), who came in leading the Pac-12 in rebounding (38.8 rpg), were outrebounded by Oregon 40-35, but held a 39-24 advantage on the boards Sunday.
"When you out-rebound a team like Oregon State, as big and physical as they are, they are the best team in the conference for second shots," Wildcats head coach Sean Miller said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ashley's replacement in the starting lineup, freshman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, tallied 16 points and five boards in the victory.
Roberto Nelson, the conference's scoring leader (21.9 ppg), was limited to 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting for Oregon State (13-10, 5-6), which has dropped three of its last five games.
Oregon State hung around for the first 13-plus minutes before Arizona used a mini spurt to cause separation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After Devon Collier's jumper cut the deficit to 23-22, T.J. McConnell netted six points during the 8-2 swing, which he capped with a jumper for a 31-24 margin.
Angus Brandt's three-point play at the other end made it 31-27, but the Wildcats scored the final six points of the half to open up their first double-digit lead.
Hollis-Jefferon split a pair of foul shots, Gabe York knocked down a triple and McConnell sunk a jumper to send Arizona into the break with a 37-27 cushion.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Wildcats held a double-digit advantage for most of the second half.
Game Notes
The Wildcats shot 50 percent (29-of-58) from the floor ... McConnell had 11 points, six assists and six rebounds ... Brandt finished with 14 points ... Oregon State shot 39.1 percent (18-of-46) from the field.