No. 20 Arizona women’s basketball beat No.18 Baylor University 75-54 in the Pac-12 Coast-to-Coast Challenge on Sunday, Dec.18. 

The Arizona women’s basketball players came out with high energy and a desire to win, taking on the Bears’ powerful defense. Shaina Pellington and Cate Reese lead the team in the first quarter with four points each. The Wildcats had six points in the paint and three points off the bench. The score at the end of the first quarter was 19-16 Arizona. 

Pellington was on a roll tonight scoring another eight points in the second quarter followed by Jade Loville with five. There were five points off the Wildcat bench and 12 in the paint, making the score 43-31 Arizona. 

In the third quarter Esmery Martinez, Lauren Fields, Pellington and Reese carried the team in points. Pellington and Reese had three rebounds each this quarter and Martinez had seven. There were ten points in the paint for the Wildcats making the score 58-42. 

Arizona had four points in the paint and four points off the bench with Loville being a lead scorer in the fourth quarter. By the end of the game, Loville hit four of five from 3-point range. The Wildcats defeated the Bears by capitalizing on Baylor turnovers, scoring 25 points. 

Arizona ended the fourth quarter with 32 points in the paint and 25 points off turnovers. Baylor had a 26.1% 3-point field goal average while Arizona had a 50%. Arizona’s head coach Adia Barnes relied on her fifth-year seniors to control the game and demonstrate their experience. 

Arizona is now 9-1 in the Pac-12, while Baylor is 8-3 in the Big 12. The Wildcats are continuing their winning streak against the Bears for three games since 1981. 

The Wildcats will play against the University of Texas Arlington on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Arlington, Texas. Tune into ESPN+ to catch the game.

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