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."
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd signals to his team following the 113-64 win against Point Loma at McKale Center, Oct. 28.
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.
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
Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) grabs hold of the ball during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd signals to his team following the 113-64 win against Point Loma at McKale Center, Oct. 28.
Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) jumps to get the shot off against Point Loma’s Zackry Paulsen (13) during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona’s Addison Arnold (2) drives the ball to the net against Point Loma’s Andrew Hommes (3) during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Carter Bryant (9) dribbles the ball down the court during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona center Emmanuel Stephen (34) dunks the ball during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) knocks the ball loose from Point Loma guard Jaden Matingou (0) during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Will Menaugh (33) blocks Point Loma forward Pierce Davis (5) from getting his shot off during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) and Carter Bryant (9) jump for the rebound during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) blocks Point Loma guard Luke Haupt (2) drive to the net, McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
A sea of Wildcat fans prepare for Arizona guard Caleb Love (1) to dunk the ball during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd chats with Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Point Loma center Matur Dhal (35) holds onto Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (13) as he jumps during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) looses control of the ball during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd pulls Arizona guard Caleb Love (1) for a chat during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona center Emmanuel Stephen (34) jumps to block Point Loma guard Luke Haupt (2) drive to the net, McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) puts pressure on Point Loma forward Pierce Davis (5) during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona freshman forward Carter Bryant dunks during the Wildcats’ exhibition game against Point Loma Monday in McKale Center.
Arizona center Emmanuel Stephen (34) attempts to keep the ball in bounds during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) fakes out Point Loma guard Jaden Matingou (0) during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) attempts to get the ball off in time as Point Loma guard Luke Haupt (2) puts him under pressure, McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona forward Trey Townsend (4) drives the ball to the net against Point Loma guard Zackry Paulsen (13) during the exhibition game at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Henri Veesaar (13) dunks the ball during the exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) drives to the basket while warming up for the Wildcats final exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
Arizona guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) practices free throw shots before the Wildcats final exhibition game against Point Loma at the McKale Center, Oct. 28, 2024.
