Hot-shooting Arizona dominates Utah

Published Jan. 19, 2012 8:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Kyle Fogg and Kevin Parrom each had 12 points to overcome the ejection of Solomon Hill and Arizona whipped Utah 77-51 on Thursday night.

Nick Johnson had 11 points and Josiah Turner had 10 points as the Wildcats (12-6, 3-2 Pac-12) made 12 of 24 from 3-point range and buried the depleted Utes with a second-half flurry.

Jason Washburn scored 14 points to lead Utah (4-14, 1-5). Josh Watkins, Utah's leading scorer and only active senior, was officially dismissed Wednesday for a violation of team rules.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Cedric Martin took an elbow to the head from Hill and fell under the Arizona basket. Hill was ejected and Utah trailed 35-32 after Alex Mortensen converted the ensuing free throws.

Coach Sean Miller said after the game that he didn't see the play and needed to watch the game film before commenting, but added: "I just know that Solomon as a kid is a great kid. Sometimes things happen in the heat of the battle." Hill entered the game leading the team in scoring (12.1 points per game), rebounding (8.1) and assists (3.1).

Johnson made back-to-back 3-pointers to fuel a 20-2 run over a 4:26 span as Arizona took a 55-34 lead.

Arizona came into the game averaging 15.2 turnovers against Pac-12 opponents -- 11th in the conference -- but had just nine against the Utes and only three in the second half.

Freshman point guard Josiah Turner had 10 points, two assists, two steals and just one turnover in 25 minutes for the Wildcats. More than that, Miller likes what he sees on the other end of the court. "He's a far cry from the defender we had out there let's say four to six weeks ago," Miller said.