The University of Arizona women’s basketball team (7-3, 0-0 in Big 12) routed Seattle University to a 78-43 victory on Monday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. in McKale Center. The Wildcats returned home after ending their two-game losing streak after a disappointing performance in the Acrisure Series.
Junior guard Paulina Paris led the team with a season-high 22 points and career-high eight assists and three steals. Following Paris was sophomore guard Skylar Jones with an efficient 16 points going 6-for-8 from the floor.
“My teammates were looking for me […]. I haven’t been playing the best leading up to this game so just preparing, I’ve been in the gym a lot so I appoint it to my teammates,” said Paris after the game.
Sophomore forward Montaya Dew made her first start as a Wildcat with senior Isis Beh out due to concussion protocol. Dew finished with 4 points, yet led the team in three categories, hauling in 11 rebounds, five steals in 38 minutes of play.
“Felt amazing just being out there, especially having to step up when one of our players [Beh] was out, it felt good being there for the team,” said Dew.
Arizona opened the game on fire scoring 25 points in the opening period. The team went 60 percent from the floor and 3-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Paris dropped 10 first quarter points to lead Arizona. The Wildcats continued to apply pressure against the Redhawks in the following quarter, improving their field goal percentage to 64.3 percent as a team.
Arizona ended the first half leading Seattle 43-32 and kept their foot on the gas entering the third period. Arizona shot an impressive 69.2 percent from the floor, allowing Seattle to put up only 11 second-half points.
Seattle ultimately could not overcome the deficit as Arizona secured a commanding 78-43 win over the Redhawks. The Wildcats ended the game victorious and on a very strong note defensively, finishing with a season-high 15 steals.
“If you were to sit at our practice it’s literally like three hours of defense […]. Credit to my teammates, cause we really defended well in that second half,” said Paris.
The Wildcats dominated inside the court, out rebounding Seattle 43-26 which led to Arizona putting up 54 paint points compared to Seattle’s 14. The Redhawks were also beaten in the transition game as Arizona put up 19 fastbreak points to Seattle’s 5.
“I’m really proud how we bounced back after a long couple weeks […]. I think we played a lot better today,” head coach Adia Barnes said after the game.
Looking ahead
Arizona will prepare to host GCU on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in McKale Center.
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