No. 22 UCLA Beats No. 5 Arizona 84-75 in Las Vegas Despite Ivan Kharchenkov's Career-High 38

Arizona’s season started with a loss for the first time in two decades. No. 22 UCLA built a 16-point lead, survived a late Wildcats rally and beat No. 5 Arizona 84-75 on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, despite a career-high 38 points from Ivan Kharchenkov.

Trent Perry led the Bruins with 21 points and made all 11 of his free throws, according to the Associated Press. It was Arizona’s first season-opening loss in 20 years, Arizona Desert Swarm reported.

Arizona vs. UCLA: final score by half

How UCLA built its lead

The game was tied early before UCLA took over. Jaylen Petty, a Texas Tech transfer, hit back-to-back 3-pointers early, and after Arizona briefly went up 11-10, the Bruins went on a 14-0 run that included a four-point play by Sergej Macura to lead 27-13, according to Arizona Desert Swarm. UCLA led 43-29 at halftime.

Arizona made just 1 of 13 3-point attempts in the first half, the AP said. UCLA’s bench outscored Arizona’s reserves 17-4 before the break.

Arizona’s comeback falls short

The Wildcats played much better after halftime. Derek Dixon scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half, and a 10-0 run cut the lead to 71-70 when Kharchenkov made two free throws with about 3:11 left.

UCLA answered. Xavier Booker hit a contested 3-pointer to start a 5-0 run, Desert Swarm reported. Another Dixon 3 made it 78-75 with 1:04 left, and Arizona forced a 10-second violation with a chance to tie. But Motiejus Krivas’ pass went out toward the bench, UCLA broke the press for a dunk, and the Bruins made their free throws to close it out.

Ivan Kharchenkov’s 38-point night

Kharchenkov was nearly Arizona’s whole offense early. He scored 18 of the Wildcats’ 29 first-half points and finished with 38 points and 10 rebounds on 12-of-20 shooting and 12-of-16 from the line. His previous career high was 20, against Denver last Nov. 24, according to the AP.

Desert Swarm said it was the most points by an Arizona player in a loss since Jerryd Bayless scored 39 in 2008. The rest of the Wildcats combined to make only five field goals besides Kharchenkov and Dixon.

Trent Perry and the UCLA bench

Perry’s perfect night at the line was key as Arizona fouled to extend the game. Petty and Eric Dailey Jr. each added 13 points, and Petty had seven assists. UCLA shot only about 38% overall, Desert Swarm noted, but won the rebounding battle 45-44 and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds for 19 second-chance points.

Key box score numbers

Arizona

• Ivan Kharchenkov: 38 points, 10 rebounds
• Derek Dixon: 18 points, 4-of-12 3PT
• Motiejus Krivas: 8 points, 9 rebounds
• Caleb Holt: 7 points, 7 rebounds

UCLA

• Trent Perry: 21 points, 11-of-11 FT, 5 assists
• Jaylen Petty: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
• Eric Dailey Jr.: 13 points, 8 rebounds
• Nikola Kusturica: 9 points
• Xavier Booker: 8 points

Missing RJ Godfrey

Arizona appeared to badly miss forward RJ Godfrey, the AP reported. He is ineligible after a lawsuit he joined seeking a fifth season of eligibility was recently denied.

What’s next for Arizona and UCLA

• Arizona: home opener against Cal Poly on Thursday night.
• UCLA: hosts North Florida on Friday night.

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