UCLA Holds Off Arizona After Kharchenkov Scores 38
On November 2 in Las Vegas, No. 22 UCLA beat No. 5 Arizona 84-75, overcoming Ivan Kharchenkov’s career-high 38 points.
UCLA opened the season with an 84-75 win over Arizona on November 2, using a strong start and a late-game hold to withstand a near-comeback by the fifth-ranked Wildcats. Trent Perry led the 22nd-ranked Bruins with 21 points. Jaylen Petty and Eric Dailey Jr. added 13 apiece.
Arizona fell behind 27-13 after UCLA’s 14-point run and trailed 43-29 at halftime. The Wildcats made just one of 13 three-point attempts in the first half, while UCLA’s reserves outscored Arizona’s 17-4.
Kharchenkov kept Arizona in the game, scoring 18 of the Wildcats’ 29 first-half points. He finished with a career-best 38 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 12 for 20 from the field and 12 for 16 at the free-throw line. Derek Dixon scored 18 for Arizona.
The Wildcats cut a 16-point deficit to one when Kharchenkov made two free throws with 3:11 remaining. UCLA held on through the tense closing stretch. The Bruins also collected 16 offensive rebounds and scored 19 second-chance points. Arizona’s Mo Krivas had eight points and nine rebounds, while freshman Caleb Holt finished with seven points and seven rebounds.
Arizona hosts Cal Poly on Thursday, November 5. UCLA is scheduled to host North Florida on Friday.