With just seven players available and their only point guard in foul trouble, the Arizona Wildcats still managed to hold off Cal State Bakersfield 78-66 on Tuesday in their home regular-season opener at McKale Center.
UA forward Lauri Markkanen dominated the smaller Roadrunners of the Western Athletic Conference with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Rawle Alkins chipped in 15 points in part with four 3-pointers.
Jaylin Airington led Cal State Bakersfield with 31 points, including 4-of-9 3-point shooting.
The Wildcats shot 49 percent from the field and made half of their 14 3-pointers but ultimately won the game at the free throw line, taking 24 more free throws than the Roadrunners and scoring 20 more points off them.