LAS VEGAS — Ivan Kharchenkov scored a career-high 38 points, but No. 5 Arizona lost its season opener 84-75 to No. 22 UCLA on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena, The Associated Press reported via Arizona Sports.
Kharchenkov also had 10 rebounds. His previous career best was 20 points. Derek Dixon added 18 points for the Wildcats.
Trent Perry led UCLA with 21 points, and Jaylen Petty and Eric Dailey Jr. each scored 13.
The Bruins took early control with a 14-point run and led 43-29 at halftime. Arizona made just 1 of 13 3-pointers in the first half, and UCLA’s bench outscored the Wildcats’ reserves 17-4 before the break.
Arizona was much better after halftime. Trailing by 16, the Wildcats got within a point when Kharchenkov made two free throws with 3:11 left, but UCLA did just enough to hold on.
Coach Tommy Lloyd started sophomore Bryce James, son of LeBron James, along with Dixon, Caleb Holt, Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas, Arizona Sports reported. James had redshirted last season. The Wildcats played without forward RJ Godfrey, who is ineligible after his bid for a fifth season of eligibility was denied.
Arizona hosts Cal Poly in its home opener Thursday at McKale Center.
Sources: Associated Press via Arizona Sports, Arizona Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Msr69er / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
