Brandon Randolph scores 20, Arizona blows out Western New Mexico in first exhibition

Brandon Randolph made an early case to be the Arizona Wildcats’ new go-to scorer.

The sophomore dropped a career-high 20 points and made all five 3s he attempted, as Arizona routed Western New Mexico 95-44 in its first of two exhibitions.

Sean Miller said at Pac-12 media day that they Wildcats will be at their best this season when they are sharing the ball and getting a bevy of players involved offensively, and that transpired Tuesday.

Brandon Williams (14), Ryan Luther (13), Ira Lee (10) and Emmanuel Akot (10) also scored in double figures and Arizona shot 59 percent as a team.

UA center Chase Jeter was out with an undisclosed injury, so Arizona was forced to play small, starting Lee and Luther in the frontcourt, then mixing in Akot and former walk-on Jake DesJardins off the bench.

The small-ball lineups resulted in a lot of 3s and the Wildcats had plenty of success from distance, shooting 11-of-26 from behind the arc. 21 of their 37 baskets were assisted.

Western New Mexico looked like a team that won six games last year. The Mustangs only shot 25 percent, firing some shots so far off the mark that McKale Center crowd, which was not its vibrant self, could only groan.

Williams got off to a sensational start, scoring seven points within the first three minutes, but did not record his next basket until there was 12:21 left in the second half.

Randolph scored 13 first-half points and the Wildcats led 48-15 at the break. They staggered early in the second half, scoring six points in the first seven minutes, but won the period 47-29.

Grad transfer Justin Coleman only mustered two points in his unofficial debut, but did tally five rebounds and six assists. Better yet: only one turnover in 22 minutes.

Akot and Dylan Smith were the first subs off the bench. Smith took over for Randolph at the 3 and scored seven points to go along with seven rebounds.

Devonaire Doutrive was the last scholarship player to check in, entering midway through the first half. He went coast-to-coast for a layup not too long after and finished with six points. Alex Barcello scored four points.

Arizona outrebounded WNMU, 50-30. Luther grabbed a team-high eight boards.

The Wildcats’ final exhibition is Sunday, Nov. 4 against Chaminade.

This story will be updated.

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