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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) -- Arizona didn't need any extra
incentive going into its season opener. The Wildcats had some,
though, and used it in an impressive performance.
With junior forward Michael Wright scoring 15 points and setting a tournament record with 19 rebounds, the Wildcats (No. 2 ESPN/USA Today; No. 1 AP) didn't miss suspended preseason All-America Loren Woods in a 97-57 victory over Chaminade on Monday in the opening round of the Maui Invitational.
|  | | Arizona's Eugene Edgerson (33) battles with Bobby Brand (44) for a rebound during 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.
"This was for Loren," Wright said.
The Wildcats didn't miss Woods against the Division II
Silverswords, playing their first game under coach Aaron Greiss.
With Wright leading the way, the Wildcats finished with a 57-28
rebound advantage. Arizona had 25 offensive rebounds, nine by
Wright, who averaged 15.5 points and 8.7 rebounds last season.
"In the first five minutes I had six rebounds so I knew I was
going to have a double-digit game," he said. "I went to the glass
hard and wound up with the ball."
Wright broke the tournament record of 18 rebounds set by Ron
Reis of Santa Clara against Iowa State in 1990.
Arizona, which finished second in its two previous Maui
Invitational appearances, advanced to Tuesday's semifinals against
Dayton, which beat Connecticut (No. 12 ESPN/USA Today, AP), 80-66.
Richard Jefferson had 16 points to lead the Wildcats, while
Gilbert Arenas had 15, Eugene Edgerson 13 and Jason Gardner 12.
"We just wanted to get out and play and show everybody's 100
percent," said Jefferson, who like Woods was limited by injuries
last season. "I was really excited."
C.J. Cowgill had 16 points and Robert Watson 14 for the
Silverswords.
Arizona used its size and speed 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.
"We wish he was here but he's not and we'll do the best job we
can," Arizona coach Lute Olson said of Woods. "I was pleased by
our defensive effort."
Olson was also pleased, but not surprised, by Wright.
"Anyone who watches us practice knows what kind of player he
is," Olson said. "He does everything in a quiet but forceful way
and this year he looks more explosive and he's doing a better job
of anticipating shots."
The last time Chaminade played a No. 1-ranked team was in 1982,
when it beat Virginia, led by center Ralph Sampson, 77-72.
"As a coach I knew what was going to happen but I didn't want
to believe it," Greiss said. "They came out and put it to us.
They were supposed to beat us by 40 points but we'll get better.
It's hard for Chaminade University to compete on this level."
The loss dropped the Silverswords record to 3-44 in the 17 years
it has served as host of the tournament.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Arizona Clubhouse
Arizona hopes for reduction in Woods' suspension
Weekly watch: Maui without Woods
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Gilbert Arenas throws down the alley-oop from Richard Jefferson.
avi: 815 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Richard Jefferson fires the ball to Gilbert Arenas under the basket.
avi: 704 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Luke Walton gets the steal then draws the foul and gets the bucket to drop at the other end.
avi: 898 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
David Toya drives through the Arizona defense.
avi: 540 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 Arizona coach Lute Olson thinks if his team can play solid defense they could be a very good team.
wav: 101 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Michael Wright knew early in the game that he would have a good game on the boards.
wav: 105 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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