The University of Arizona women’s basketball team (15-10, 6-6 in Big 12) survived a thrilling 66-59 victory over ASU (8-16, 2-10 in Big 12) on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. in McKale Center.
With a season-high 8,370 fans in attendance at McKale, the atmosphere was electric right from tip-off. Arizona got off to a quick start, jumping to a 4-0 lead and holding ASU scoreless until the seven-minute mark.
Coming out of the media timeout, the Wildcats forced back-to-back turnovers from the Sun Devils to ignite a 6-0 scoring to extend the Arizona lead to 12-4 midway through the opening quarter.
Going into the second quarter with the Wildcats leading 15-9, ASU switched into a zone defense giving Arizona problems offensively. The Sun Devils were able to capitalize on the Wildcats’ miscues ending the quarter on a 7-0 run and outscored Arizona 15-13 in the quarter heading into halftime down 28-24.
“We have to be better in finishing quarters strong, when we make a big play […] we need to turn around and play great defense,” head coach Adian Barnes said postgame.
Freshman Lauryn Swann led the Wildcats with 7 second-quarter points, totaling 10 points at the break. The Wildcat bench outscored the Sun Devil bench 12-2 and dominated in the paint scoring 14 points to ASU’s 6.
To start the second half, the Arizona State’s zone defense continued to give Arizona problems forcing the Wildcats into a two-minute scoring drought after Williams scored on the opening possession.
After a physical and fast-paced third quarter, the Sun Devils began to chip away at the Arizona lead, pulling to within a possession. The Wildcats, however, remained relentless getting to the free-throw line 13 times in the period but only sinking eight of those attempts giving the team a 44-41 lead.
In the final quarter of play, the Wildcat defense came to fruition putting ASU in a five-minute scoring drought. Sophomore’s Jada Williams and Breya Cunningham each had 9 points in the period with Williams going 4-4 from the charity stripe. Cunningham shot 4-5 from the field leading the Wildcats to victory.
“Adia [Barnes] told me to keep shooting, eventually they’ll fall, I was taking good shots,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham ended the game with 16 points and eight rebounds on 7-12 shooting. Cunningham would finish right behind Williams who led the Wildcats with 18 points, 7 rebounds and a pair of steals going 6-13 from the floor.
Senior Isis Beh tallied 8 points and dished out five assists on the night, achieving 500 career points in her collegiate career.
“She’s [Beh] worked really hard for us […] she’s kind of played herself into this role and I’m just proud of her,” Barnes said.
Arizona took advantage of the transition opportunities outscoring ASU 16-9 in fastbreak points and generating 19 points off of ASU’s 15 turnovers.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will go on the road and face No.25 Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla.
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