• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Williams, Arizona open Pac-10 play with easy win over Cal

Dec 29, 2006 - 9:08 AM TUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) -- The stellar shooting of Marcus Williams continued Arizona's surge right into conference play.

Williams scored 21 points on 8-of-8 shooting as seventh-ranked Arizona cruised to a 94-85 victory over California in the Pac-10 opener for both teams.

Shooting 60 percent (35-of-58) from the field, the Wildcats (10-1) notched their 10th straight win since losing a tough 93-90 decision at Virginia in the season opener.

"We've played a tough schedule and taken care of business," Williams said. "Now we have to continue that into conference play."

The reigning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, Williams played a huge part in Arizona's outstanding offensive attack, making all four of his shots in each half. The 6-7 forward also had a 3-pointer as he scored 12 points in the opening 20 minutes, leading the Wildcats to a 51-33 advantage at the half.

"It was great to see Marcus have the kind of game he had, in that he shot the ball real well," Arizona coach Lute Olson said.

Ivan Radenovic made sure the momentum carried over to the second, scoring his team's first six points after the break. The senior forward added a layup with 11:42 remaining for a 78-47 bulge.

"In the second half, we played really, really well until all the reserves came in," Olson said.

Radenovic finished with 17 points and nine rebounds and Jawann McClellan - who sank five 3-pointers - scored 16 for Arizona, which beat California for the 15th time in the last 17 meetings.

Senior point guard Mustafa Shakur nearly recorded a triple-double for the Wildcats, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists. He also committed just three turnovers.

"We have guys who can make good plays, and when everybody is sharing the ball, everybody is happy," Shakur said.

Freshman sensation Ryan Anderson scored 16 points but was held to just four rebounds for the Bears (8-5, 0-1), who were beaten on the boards by a 39-30 margin.

The 6-10 Anderson came into the game fifth in the Pac-10 in scoring (16.5) and fourth in rebounding (8.9).

Arizona's top first-year player, Chase Budinger finished with 12 points but also committed five of the team's 16 turnovers.

Ayinde Ubaka scored 14 points and Theo Robertson added 11 for Cal, which has lost its last 12 appearances at the McKale Center.