Benched Horne shines

Sophomore has career game for UA

? Just before he received the Fiesta Bowl Classic MVP award, Jamelle Horne turned to Arizona interim coach Russ Pennell to talk about his benching.

“Coach, I kind of like being able to sit there and watch,” the 6-foot-6 sophomore said.

If that’s the case, Pennell might not let Horne start the rest of the season.

In his first non-start of the year, Horne had a career game, scoring 19 points to go with 13 rebounds in Arizona’s 84-67 victory over Kansas University.

“Coach P. had told me before the game he felt I wasn’t playing hard enough, which is understandable,” Horne said. “Obviously, I responded in a great way.”

That might even be an understatement. Horne’s previous career-highs were 15 points and 11 rebounds.

“You just have to keep pushing him,” Pennell said. “He’s such a great kid.”

Pennell said part of the problem with Horne was his intensity. Often, he’d have to urge the San Diego product to become more serious once he stepped on the court.

Horne was all business Tuesday night, especially on the offensive boards. He pulled down eight offensive rebounds in 32 minutes.

“Coaches told me I was a decent offensive rebounder, and they kept reiterating that over and over,” Horne said. “That got my offense going.”

Horne finished 7-for-13 from the floor. He went 2-for-3 from three-point range and chipped in two assists and one steal.

“He was amped and ready to get on the floor,” UA forward Jordan Hill said, “and he did what he had to do.”

Meanwhile, Pennell, who attended Pittsburg State, said it was a bigger victory for his squad than it was for him personally.

“It feels good more because it’s a highly regarded team,” Pennell said. “This is a great measuring mark for our team.”

Even though Horne’s best performance as a Wildcat came off the bench, he wasn’t ready to give up on starting.

“That’ll be something me and the coaches talk about,” he said with a smile.