12/9/1949

Cats Trounce Culver-Stockton

Open Douglas High Gym With 74–45 Triumph

By HENRY HUTTO

DOUGLAS. Dec. 10. – The University of Arizona Wildcats showed offensive power last night as they played the first basketball game in Douglas' new gymnasium and trounced the Culver-Stockton squad from Canton, Mo., by a 74 to 45 count.

About 900 fans were present for the inaugural game and to see Arizona rack up its third victory of the season without a defeat.

Center Paul Penner took scoring honors for the winners with a 21-polnt performance on 10 field goals and a free throw. Leon Blevins, all-conference forward got 12 points for the next best Wildcat effort.

Robert Logan was high scorer for the Missouri team with 14 points. He was followed by William Gain with nine.

Take Early Lead

The Culver-Stockton crew was in the game only in the opening minutes. After the Wildcats took a 5 to 0 lead with two baskets by Penner and a free throw by Roger Johnson, the Culver-Stockton team, also known as Wildcats, powered the count to 5 to 4. From then on Arizona wasn't In danger.

Penner scored most of the early points as Arizona racked up a 20 to 9 lead. During the latter part of thr first half, Blevins took the role of pace-setter and Arizona led 47 to 22 at the intermission.

In the second half Coach Fred Enke's squad substituted freely. The shooting was less decisive than in the first period, but the smooth Arizona five maintained its edge.

Early in the second half, the out of state squad played Arizona on almost even terms. Each team picked up 12 points and well into the last half Culver-Stockton trailed by 59 to 33.

Smooth Teamwork

Arizona, however, soon extended its lead to 74 to 38. Culver-Stockton notched the last seven points of the game.

Smooth teamwork and an effective offense marked the play for the winners. Both squads were successful at free throw attempts. Arizona made 10 out of 15 and an accurate Culver-Stockton team hit 17 out of 20.

In a preliminary tilt, the Valley high school defeated Douglas high school's third team 23 to 0.