The UAA men's basketball team stumbled Thursday in its first outing of the season, losing 65-50 to Westmont College, an NAIA school from Santa Barbara, Calif. The game counted in the standings for Westmont -- which last season played exhibitions games against UCLA and St. John's -- but not for the Seawolves, who used the road game to get a look at all 12 players who made the trip.
Eleven players logged nine or more minutes for the Seawolves. Taylor Rohde led UAA with 16 points in only 20 minutes and Lonnie Ridgeway scored 11 in 24 minutes. Liam Gibcus made the most of his nine minutes -- he blocked a shot and grabbed two rebounds before fouling out.
Westmont also used the game to get meaningful minutes for several players. Four of them scored in double figures, with Christopher Miller and Anthony Lipold each scoring 13.
UAA led 29-27 at the half but was hurt in the second half by 25 percent shooting (5 of 20). hurt the Seawolves in the second half.
Westmont outrebounded the Seawolves 32-28 -- Mario Gill's five boards led UAA -- and won the turnover battle, 14-8.
UAA plays an exhibition game against another NAIA team, perennial power Asuza Pacific, tonight in California.