UCLA Beats Arizona in Las Vegas
The Wildcats lost 84-75 in their season opener, with sophomore Ivan Kharchenkov scoring 38 points while the rest of the roster struggled with rebounding and shooting.
By Rafael Delgado ·
Ivan Kharchenkov scored 38 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but his performance was not enough to prevent an 84-75 loss to UCLA at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Monday night. The Wildcats dropped their season opener in the Hall of Fame Series, a game that exposed defensive gaps and offensive inconsistency for the Arizona program.
Coach Tommy Lloyd acknowledged the team's struggles with new players adjusting to different roles. He described the early experience as getting punched in the face, noting that the squad lost its way at times but fought back hard. Lloyd expressed pride in the team's resilience despite the final score.
Senior center Mo Krivas faced constant pressure from UCLA defenders. The 7-foot-2 Lithuanian player drew nine or 10 fouls and managed eight points on two baskets. Lloyd said the Bruins made Krivas look indecisive by crowding the paint and forcing him to make quick decisions under a double team.
The Wildcats failed to capitalize on open shots from beyond the arc. Arizona attempted 30 three-pointers but made only seven, shooting at a 23% clip. In the first half, the team sank just one of those long-range attempts. This contrasts with the previous season when Arizona attempted only 16 such shots per game.
Rebounding was a major point of failure for the home team. UCLA secured 16 offensive rebounds, including a tip-in by freshman Nikola Kusturica over two Arizona players. The Bruins outrebounded Arizona 27-22 in the first half and led by one rebound for the game with 44 total rebounds. Lloyd criticized the team's effort on the glass, stating that UCLA won the rebounding and loose ball battles.
Freshman guard Caleb Holt struggled against the experienced UCLA backcourt. He finished with seven points on 2-for-7 shooting while battling foul trouble. The absence of RJ Godfrey, who is waiting for a court injunction to play, left a hole in the frontcourt depth. Lloyd emphasized that the loss is a learning opportunity for the young players.
Lloyd told his team that the result would not define their season. He urged the players to keep moving forward and view the game as a catalyst for growth. The Wildcats will look to correct these issues as the season continues.
