The University of Arizona women’s basketball team opened its season with a 62-59 victory over the University of California Riverside Highlanders on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. in McKale Center. This was the first win for the first season head coach, Becky Burke. Though the Burke era may have just begun, one thing stayed the same for the Arizona women’s basketball team, that the Cardiac Cats are back.
Graduate guard Mickayla Perdue led the scoring for the Wildcats as she finished the night with 17 points, going 6-for-15 from the field to add alongside three rebounds in 34 minutes of play.
“I just want to thank my coaches and teammates. They really pushed me this week. They kept encouraging me to keep shooting and to start with easy layups to build confidence. Once I saw one go in, I started taking threes, and those started falling too. Even if a shot doesn’t go in, I’m going to keep shooting,” Perdue said.
The second leading scorer for Arizona was freshman Daniah Trammell, as she had 13 points, going 5-for-5 from the field and putting up a rebound as well.
“I’m not going to lie, during that last minute my nerves were high, I could feel it in my toes. But I have a lot of faith in my teammates. Having Mickey and Simei [Sumayah] out there, with the leadership they bring, helped me stay composed. Even after I messed up the previous possession by not stepping to the ball, they reminded me to fix it. Being on the court with players who really know and live the game made me feel confident,” Trammell said.
On the Highlanders’ side of the ball, their leading scorer was Junior Aaliyah Stanton, as she had 14 points, going 6-13 from the field and adding 2 assists. Additionally, Sophomore Kayani Polk and Graduate Student Seneca Hackley had 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists each.
The first quarter ended with the Wildcats holding a slim lead over UC Riverside, even without making a 3-pointer and having the lower field goal percentage of the two teams. However, the Wildcats did make more free throws in the first quarter, hitting four compared to UC Riverside’s zero.
The second quarter saw the Highlanders tie the game at 23, as they outscored the Wildcats 13-9. The Wildcats hit their first 3-pointer of the season, leaving anticipation for both sides heading into the third quarter.
Arizona went on a roll to start the second half, hitting two 3-pointers in the quarter en route to a 7-point lead at the end of three quarters, 46-39. Perdue had eight points in the quarter, sealing what looked like the Wildcats had the game well in hand.
The Wildcats had a 52-43 lead with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, a 15-5 Highlanders run erased that and tied the game. But a key jumper from grad student Noelani Cornfield and two huge free throws from Junior Sumayah Sugapong Salted the game away for the Cats.
“I need to correct and fix some things down the stretch and make sure we don’t make it quite as interesting as we did. But at the end of the day, they found a way to win,” Burke said.
In the end, the Wildcats proved that even in the first game of the Burke era, their trademark grit and fight are still alive.
Despite some tense moments, Arizona stayed composed and found a way to win. With strong leadership, promising young talent, and a coach focused on growth, the Cardiac Cats are back and ready for a competitive season.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will look to continue their winning ways as they play University of California Irvine on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in McKale Center. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+.
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