Tested early, Arizona basketball eventually rolls over D-II Point Loma in exhibition at McKale

Trey Townsend had 18 points and 10 rebounds while Arizona had five other players in double-figure scoring during its 113-64 win over Division II Point Loma on Monday at McKale Center.

Initially given a test much stiffer than in their 117-54 win over Eastern New Mexico in an Oct. 21 exhibition, the Wildcats led by just 10 points late in the first half. But they started the second half on a 13-0 run – getting a layup, dunk and 3-pointer from Townsend — and the game was never close from there.

Still, UA coach Tommy Lloyd said the matchup was a valuable one heading into the regular season, which the Wildcats will start on Nov. 4 by hosting Canisius. 

"This was more of a preparation game," Lloyd said. "Point Loma is a really good program... They've got a nice system and I'm glad we played against it because a high percentage of teams have elements of that system in what they do, so we needed to prepare against us."

The Sea Lions even pulled out a 1-2-2 fullcourt press in the second half in an attempt to slow the Wildcats, who led by just 10 points late in the first half but ran away with it in the second half.

Townsend wound up shooting 6 of 9 from the field, hitting 2 of 3 3-pointers, after scoring 24 points while hitting 4 of 5 3s against Eastern New Mexico.

Arizona also had 16 points from point guard Jaden Bradley, all in the first half, along with 15 from KJ Lewis, 12 from Henri Veesaar and Tobe Awaka, who also had nine rebounds. Meanwhile, freshman Carter Bryant threw in 13 points off the bench while hitting 6 of 8 mostly acrobatic shots.

"Carter has a great ability to impact the game in a lot of areas," Lloyd said. "I've been on him just to really focus on effort and energy. As that habit builds for him -- and it is building -- he is playing hard."

Veesaar, wing Anthony Dell'Orso and Carter were the first three reserves UA coach Tommy Lloyd turned to, filling out what appears to be the Wildcats' early top eight players. Lloyd mostly ran sophomore Conrad Martinez as a backup point guard, while Lewis took a few reps there while Bradley was out. 

In the first half, Bradley had 16 points while hitting all seven field goals he took in the first half to help Arizona take a 59-45 halftime lead.

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Lewis added nine points and three rebounds while hitting 4 of 5 free throws. Awaka, starting while sophomore center Motiejus Krivas sat out with an ankle injury that has plagued him this fall, added eight points and four rebounds.

Lloyd said Krivas has been "amping it up day by day" in practices and might be able to play against Canisius.

"As long as we don't have any setbacks, that's a possibility," Lloyd said.

Returning its entire roster from the Division II PacWest Conference champions last season, the Sea Lions predictably tested the Wildcats in the opening minutes. They took an early 8-4 lead when Andrew Hommes hit an improbable twisting desperation 3-pointer at the shot clock buzzer.

But from there, UA went on a 14-0 run to take an 18-8 lead and stayed ahead comfortably the rest of the half while Lloyd went 10 players deep in his rotation. UA's projected starting center, Krivas was the only scholarship player not to appear; he has been out most of the preseason after playing a standout role for Lithuania in the U20 EuroBasket event in July.

While the Wildcats held a double-digit lead the rest of the half after their 14-0 run, Point Loma made it interesting in the final five minutes of the half.

With 4:35 left, Dell’Orso fouled the Sea Lions’ Zack Paulsen beyond the 3-point line – and committed a Class A technical afterward. That sent Paulsen to the free throw line for two technical free throws and three regular free throws, and Paulsen missed only the first attempt, pulling Point Loma with in 51-38.

On the next possession, Paulsen fouled UA’s Trey Thompson in the left corner, and Townsend hit both ensuing free throws to put the Wildcats up by 15. Arizona held at least a 10 point lead from there.

Photos: Arizona beats Point Loma 113-64 in final exhibition game, men's college basketball