College basketball kicks off with three exhibition games in Valley

College basketball fans, rejoice!

With the regular season right around the corner, Arizona State, Arizona and Grand Canyon saw exhibition action on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at each team’s night:

At Wells Fargo Arena, the Sun Devils took home a commanding 104-76 win over Arizona Christian behind senior forward Zylan Cheatham.

“I’M A ROCKET MAAAAAN” 🚀🚀@1KingZ4 pic.twitter.com/cLwdqWESPO

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) October 31, 2018

The forward finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Sun Devils.

He wasn’t alone in the scoring department, however, as six Sun Devils finished in double figures.

Freshman Taeshon Cherry was the lead scorer on the team with 17 points.

The Sun Devils did a lot of their work down low, scoring 62 points in the paint. The bench also contributed to the cause, netting 32 points.

Arizona Christian didn’t do itself any favors as it turned the ball over 15 times, which ASU used to their advantage. The Sun Devils scored 18 points off Arizona Christian’s miscues.

Due to an ankle injury, guard Remy Martin was held out of the lineup, but is expected to play in the team’s regular-season opener against Cal State Fullerton next Tuesday.

Down south, the Wildcats may have found their new leading scorer in Brandon Randolph.

The sophomore guard was lights out from behind the arc, going 5-for-5, and finishing with 20 points, including 13 first-half points, as Arizona beat Western New Mexico 95-44.

Ira Lee, who the Wildcats are suspending for the regular-season opener, chipped in 10 points, while Brandon Williams added 14.

Randolph ➡️ Lee 🔨@APlayersProgram #BearDown pic.twitter.com/Y8IHN61HqB

— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) October 31, 2018

The Wildcats went small as Lee got the start in place of center Chase Jeter, who was out with an undisclosed injury.

Arizona shot 59 percent from the field, while Western New Mexico shot just 25 percent. The Wildcats also controlled the boards, grabbing 50 rebounds to WNMU’s 30.

The Wildcats will look to add to their early success in their final exhibition game against Chaminade on Sunday.

At GCU, the Lopes used two big runs, and their typical crowd, to put themselves well ahead of Montana State Billings.

The @GCUHavocs don’t need no exhibition. #LopesUp #GCUheartofPHX pic.twitter.com/jERh6SuFcs

— GCU Lopes (@GCU_Lopes) October 31, 2018

Five GCU players were in double figures as the Lopes cruised to the 97-60 win. Michael Finke and Alessandro Lever each scored 16 points.

It was a rocky start for GCU as they missed their first six three-pointers.

They quickly found their rhythm, however, hitting 50 percent of their shots from deep.

The Lopes defense closed things out in the second half as they put to bed any chances of a Montana State Billings comeback.

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