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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Stifling defense leads to victory for the Arizona women’s basketball team over Washington State

Aari+McDonald+prepares+an+offensive+drive+agaisnt+TCU+in+McKale+Center.+The+UA+defeated+TCU+59-53.
Claudio Cerrillo

Aari McDonald prepares an offensive drive agaisnt TCU in McKale Center. The UA defeated TCU 59-53.

The University of Arizona’s women’s basketball team picked up a win at home against the Washington State Cougars on Feb.12, by a score of 60-51.

Cate Reese led the team in scoring with 17 points and shot the ball on 5-14 shooting from the field. Aari McDonald was right behind her with 14 points of her own and shot 5-21 from the field and 1-6 from three. Here are a few key statistics from the win for Arizona. 

Three point shooting

The Wildcats shot the ball from three at a clip of 2-13 in the game. 

They were held from making a three pointer until McDonald drilled a step back three to end the half. Then, their second and last three point field goal came from Helena Pueyo in the final minutes of the third quarter. 

“Tonight it just wasn’t falling but we still moved and reversed the ball and got our post action on the backside. Which that was the game plan,” head coach Adia Barnes said.

Rebounds

The Wildcats held the edge on the boards out rebounding the Cougars 43-35. Where the Wildcats dominated was on the offensive glass out rebounding the Cougars 14-4. That allowed them to have 12 second chance points. 

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Family in the Stands

There were some family members allowed to attend this game as it was one of the last couple home games for these seniors. Sam Thomas’s family was the loudest in attendance.

“I would like to apologize in advance for everything that you heard from him, no I’m kidding,” Thomas said.

Turnovers 

The Wildcats forced 20 total turnovers and 15 of those were steals. Thomas led the team with five steals.

“We have [Sam] Thomas who is the country’s most underrated defensive player,” Barnes said.

“We keyed on getting the ball out of the sisters hands, so using traps and trying to tip a little bit, reach a little bit and try to get the ball out of their hands,” Barnes said. “Put the ball in some other peoples hands who might not be as great of ball handlers and try and get those steals from either their passes or dribble.”

Coming off of this win, the Wildcats will play their final regular season home game on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m. against Washington. 


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