Arizona basketball spreads the wealth, dominates paint vs. Old Dominion
Nov 9, 2024, 4:33 PM | Updated: 4:34 pm
KJ Lewis #5 of the Arizona Wildcats handles the ball against the USC Trojans in the first half of a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats defeated the Trojans 70-49. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
The No. 10 Arizona Wildcats jumped out to a 13-0 lead for the second straight game to begin their 2024-25 season, and they took care of Old Dominion 102-44 on Saturday at McKale Center.
Tommy Lloyd’s club dominated in the paint, outscoring the Monarchs 58-24 and corralling 24 offensive boards compared to nine on Old Dominion’s side of things.
The lead grew as high as 30 in the opening 20 minutes when senior forward Trey Townsend stepped in front of a pass and took it back the other way. His fast-break layup attempt rattled off the rim too strong, but sophomore guard KJ Lewis elevated and slammed the miss home for a monstrous dunk.
MAKINGđź‘ŹITđź‘ŹHAPPEN pic.twitter.com/yhCi1dGjcG
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) November 9, 2024
Twelve of 15 Wildcats who saw action got into the scoring column, the team showing off its balance with fifth-year guard Caleb Love as the lone double-digit scorer (10) in the first half on 4-of-7 shooting. Five players closed with 10-plus points.
Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka was all over the court for Arizona, reaching a double-double (18 points, 15 rebounds) less than a minute in the second half and finished 8-for-10 shooting. He also added two blocks and a steal as the Wildcats continued to pull away from the struggling Monarchs (0-2).
double-double secured for awakađź”’ pic.twitter.com/Ar8ucP3AKE
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) November 9, 2024
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Arizona big men Henri Veesaar and Motiejus Krivas both came off the bench like in Monday’s 93-64 win over Canisius, each handling the ball cleanly (two combined turnovers). Veesaar led the pair in all three major categories with 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Krivas managed six points while only getting up three shot attempts (1-for-3) and added six rebounds and four free throws.
The absence of 7-foot Oumar Ballo, who transferred to Indiana for his fifth year of college ball, remains a question for Lloyd to fill.
Freshman Carter Bryant was efficient off the bench with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and displayed defensive awareness with two steals.
The Wildcats’ lead ballooned to as high as 60 (98-38) with 7:14 left in the contest, junior guard Anthony Dell’Orso earning the honor by nailing his second three-pointer of the game (2-for-5).
Arizona has not had to lean on the deep ball thus far into non-conference play, with 16 made threes (eight in each) in their first two games of the season.
Wisconsin is next on the schedule for Arizona, the Wildcats going on the road for a Saturday game before returning to Tucson for a seven-game home stand.
