Love at First Sight: Caleb Love Ignites as No. 10 Arizona Blasts Canisius 93-64 in Season Opener

Love at First Sight: Caleb Love Ignites as No. 10 Arizona Blasts Canisius 93-64 in Season Opener

November 5, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor News

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – Caleb Love had 17 points and six assists, Jaden Bradley added 15 points and No. 10 Arizona got off to a flying start in coach Tommy Lloyd’s fourth season, leading to Canisius. won a landslide 93-64.

The Wildcats showed their dominance early on, going on a 20-2 run to score the first 13 points and take a comfortable 52-30 lead at halftime. After that, Arizona never allowed the Golden Griffins to get closer than 18 points, achieving their 18th straight opening game win.

Arizona’s inside game was especially dominant, outscoring Canisius in the paint 48-12 and outrebounding opponents by 18. KJ Lewis was also a highly contributing player, scoring 14 points for the Wildcats. While the team showed great ball movement with 20 assists, they also committed nine turnovers. This happened five times before the starter left the game.

The Golden Griffins struggled to find a rhythm, taking four minutes to score their first score and faced constant challenges due to Arizona’s size throughout the game. Still, he achieved a remarkable 43% field goal percentage, and he was able to do so in one of college basketball’s most difficult venues.

Leading the way for Canisius was Paul McMillan IV, who scored 20 points to keep the team competitive.

Main points

  • Canisius: The Golden Griffins had a promising showing, especially on offense, but the huge gap that built up early was insurmountable.
  • Arizona: The Wildcats performed as expected in their home nonconference matchup, showcasing a deep roster that is expected to make a big splash in the NCAA Tournament.

important moment

Love, who decided to return with an NBA career in the balance, provided a huge boost for the Wildcats and earned preseason All-America recognition. He immediately made his presence felt, scoring seven points in Arizona’s explosive start.

important stats

Arizona’s size is a key factor, with two 7-footers in the lineup. In rebounding, he grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and converted them into 19 second-chance points.

upcoming matches

Canisius hosts St. Bonaventure on Saturday, and Arizona hosts Old Dominion at home the same day.

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