If the Arizona women’s basketball team wants to get out of their rut, tonight might be a good time to start a winning streak.
For Arizona (7-16, 1-10 Pacific 10 Conference), there is a bit of added confidence going into tonight’s game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash. The Wildcats currently are on a six-game losing streak, but the last time the team won was Jan. 6 against the Cougars (5-16, 1-10).
“”Last year we beat WSU at home, and then we went up to Washington and lost to them,”” guard Malia O’Neal said. “”We’re expecting them to come out and play hard, because the last time we didn’t really beat them by that much.””
Last season was a similar match-up. The Cougars were on a nine-game losing streak when the Wildcats traveled to play them, but WSU pulled out an 84-77 win.
The Cougars are now on a 10-game losing streak that started all the way back in the second game of conference play Dec. 23 at Oregon.
Arizona’s 59-57 overtime win in the last meeting in McKale Center, totaled the 14th win in the last 16 games for Arizona.
“”They probably have some confidence, too going into this game, but we’re going to go up there and try to get a win,”” O’Neal said. “”I think we can get two wins if we play hard and play together.””
Both teams are tied for last place in the Pac-10.
UA head coach Joan Bonvicini is still two wins away from 600 in her career, and players as well as Bonvicini know there is added pressure for them to win now.
“”Hopefully she can get her 600th this weekend,”” senior guard Linda Pace said. “”She’s coming in confident every day and is not being deterred. We can see the mistakes we’re making; now we just need to fix them and get some wins.””
Guard Kelsey Burns remembered the last time the two played each other and recalls how both teams had to fight until the end to try to pull out a victory.
“”We’re going to have to play two solid, physical halves of basketball,”” Burns said. “”Hopefully we can get a little offense going.””
The Cougars are led by freshman forward Marisa Stotler, who is averaging 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and two steals per game.
Pace said the Wildcats must leave Washington with at least a split.
“”Going on the road it can be easy to lose focus, but we know we can beat both of those teams,”” Pace said. “”We’re a better team by far, even though we haven’t shown it.””
