Arizona’s men’s basketball team turned a rough start to its European exhibition into a decisive victory on Thursday, downing the Ukrainian national side 107‑85 after a humbling loss to Lithuania ‘B’ the previous day.
Early dominance sets the tone
From the opening quarter the Wildcats built a 33‑24 lead and stretched it to 61‑44 at halftime, never looking back. The team’s rhythm was evident as they moved the ball with purpose and forced turnovers early.
Sophomore forward Ivan Kharchenkov was the catalyst, pouring in 24 points, 20 of them before the break, and anchoring a fast‑moving offense that left the visitors scrambling. Freshman guard Caleb Holt contributed a double‑double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while sophomore point guard Derek Dixon and senior big man Motjieus Krivas each added 16 or more points, underscoring the depth of the lineup.
Looking ahead
A late‑third‑quarter ankle twist on Kharchenkov sparked a brief scare, but the sophomore stayed in the game, showing resilience amid a roster missing JJ Mandaquit (foot), Mabil Mawut (visa) and RJ Godfrey (eligibility). Coach Tommy Lloyd said the team may meet the same Lithuania ‘B’ squad again for the final game, but the exact opponent remains undecided as the trip continues. The performance offers a promising glimpse of what the Wildcats can achieve when fully healthy.