Defense keys Arizona’s win over Valpo

TUCSON, Ariz. – Kyle Fogg scored 16 points, Jesse Perry had a double-double and No. 16 Arizona pulled away in the second half to open its men’s basketball season with a 73-64 victory over Valparaiso on Monday night.

Arizona had some jittery moments in the first half before running away behind its defense in the second. The Wildcats held Valparaiso without a field goal during an opening 16-3 run, with Jordin Mayes scoring eight points to put Arizona up 15.

Perry finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman Nick Johnson contributed 14 points and six assists for the Wildcats.

Valparaiso got off to a solid start in coach Bryce Drew’s debut before fading against Arizona’s pressure. Kevin Van Wijk and Ryan Broekhoff had 18 points each for the Crusaders, who have lost 34 straight games against Top 25 teams since Drew beat Mississippi with a buzzer beater in the 1998 NCAA tournament.