The Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team started off slow, but stepped on the gas and throttled the visiting Grambling State Tigers, 73-46, on Tuesday in McKale Center.
Scoring for Arizona was spread out with three players scoring in double-figures and nine players getting into the scoring column. The Wildcats were paced by senior Dejza James who had a season-high 12 points and Malena Washington who contributed 13.
James also demonstrated her outside shooting ability despite only attempting one 3-pointer coming into the game this season, but shot three times in the game, connecting on one.
“It’s never something I set out to do,” James said. “It’s been something I have been getting better at and this week it really showed in practice, so in the game I was more confident.”
In the first half the Wildcats struggled to score, but their defense was key in keeping the Tigers at bay. Grambling State shot a woeful 27 percent from the field and had the Wildcats not turned the ball over 21 times, the lead could have been bigger.
The Wildcats height dominated the undersized Tigers in the paint, out scoring GSU 41-18 in the lane. Forwards LaBrittney Jones, Destiny Graham and Breanna Workman combined for 25 points, 16 rebounds and five assists.
“I think the key was coming together,” said guard Malena Washington. “In the first half we weren’t really playing together, so we needed to come together in order to be more successful.”
Turnovers continue to plague the Wildcats and against Grambling was no different as Arizona lost the ball 21 times, something that head coach Aida Barnes knows needs to change before Pac-12 play.
“I think the turnovers are because all of a sudden we love to jump up to make passes,” Barnes said. “A lot of times we try to thread the needle instead of just making the open pass. We had a lot of unforced turnovers, we can’t average 20 turnovers a game, that’s not good.”
Arizona moves to 7-1 on the season with the win. The Wildcats go on the road next to take on Kansas in Lawrence on Saturday, tip is set for 11 a.m.
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