The University of Arizona women’s basketball team defeated Grambling State University 84-60 on Saturday, Nov. 23. The Wildcats extended their record to 6-1 on the season after the 24-point victory at home in McKale Center.
Arizona got off to a great start against Grambling State as the Wildcats started the game with a 6-0 scoring run. Arizona, helped by 7,500 plus fans in McKale Center, held Grambling State scoreless for the first two and a half minutes of the game.
Both teams pressured each other early in the first quarter as each program played full court press defense.
With 4:30 to go in the first quarter, Arizona’s Sahnya Jah took a long jumper. With Jah making the shot and drawing a foul, the Wildcats continued their early dominance, going up 15-6.
Arizona ended the first period leading 18-13 without making a 3-point shot. This is the first game this season Arizona has not made a 3-pointer in the first quarter.
Arizona continued to dominate the Tigers in the second quarter. After a half court pass from Jah to Breya Cunningham, the Wildcats led 24-15.
Arizona, however, struggled in the second quarter with missed passes and rebounding, allowing Grambling State to get back in the game. After two quick scores, Grambling State cut the lead down to 3 points after a key defensive take away leading to basket.
Grambling State went shot for shot with the Wildcats, holding the deficit to only 3 points for most of the second quarter.
With just under two minutes to go in the second quarter, the Tigers hit a massive 3-point shot bringing them within a point, 33-32. They took the lead shortly after, making two free throws to lead the Wildcats for the first time.
Arizona went into halftime down by 1 point, 36-35, to Grambling State. Cunningham led the team in scoring with 8 points, five rebounds and four blocks for the Wildcats. She was closely followed by Paulina Paris, who had 7 points and five rebounds. Arizona went 0-for-3 shooting 3-pointers in the first half, scoring 22 of the team’s points from inside the paint.
Arizona came out of halftime and immediately took the lead back after Cunningham made two free throws for the Wildcats.
After a key defensive take away by Jada Williams that jump started the Wildcats, the team regained control of the game, going on a 7-point scoring run to force a Grambling State timeout. Shortly before the timeout, Williams drew a charging foul that forced her to leave the game briefly. She returned later in the third.
Coming out of the timeout, Arizona extended its scoring run to 8 points that had gone unanswered by the Tigers.
After getting caught in the back court by three Grambling State players, Paris was forced to call one of Arizona’s timeouts to get out of the pinch. In doing so, Paris was called for a technical foul as she knocked a Grambling State player down walking back to the Arizona bench. Grambling State ended the Wildcats’ scoring run after making both free throws.
After Grambling State’s free throws, the Tigers went on a short scoring run to bring the score back to within 2 points, 48-46.
Arizona was able to stretch its lead over Grambling State after some key defensive stops shortly before the end of the third quarter, leading 55-46. The 7-point scoring run was interrupted after Grambling State drew a shooting foul and made one of the two free throws.
The Wildcats started the fourth quarter hot, not only getting a steal but also finding Lauryn Swann for a corner 3-pointer. Arizona gave up a basket to Grambling State but immediately got the ball to Jah for a layup making the lead 65-49.
The Wildcats continued to dominate the Tigers, getting several steals and adding to their lead, making the game 71-54 with five minutes left.
With just under two minutes left to play, Grambling State players Zaria Johnson and Douthshine Prien both fouled out of the game leaving them with only three starters available on the team.
Arizona ended the game dominating Grambling State 84-60.
Arizona was led in the second half by Swann, who finished the night with 17 points and six rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field. The Wildcats also scored 25 points off 22 turnovers.
“It was mutual with everyone on the team […]. We didn’t want it to go the way NAU went, we just wanted to finish the game and win,” Swann said after the game.
Looking ahead
Arizona will now head to Palm Springs, California for the Acrisure Holiday Invitational tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 27.
The Wildcats will be back in McKale Center on Dec. 2 to take on Seattle University.
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