The University of Arizona women’s basketball team won 87-76 over NAU on Friday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. in McKale Center. With this victory, Arizona improves to 4-0 in the early season, making an impressive start.
The Wildcats were up for another test in the season after facing one of their rivals, NAU. The Wildcats were 0-2 last season against the Lumberjacks and looked to have a better record against them this season.
Graduate guard Mickayla Perdue led the victory with 27 points. This was followed by 11 points from both Noelani Cornfield and Sumayah Sugapong. Perdue’s 27 points were very impressive, considering she did not have any points entering the second quarter.
First half
Arizona looked to control the game, winning the tip-off. However, NAU quickly got off to an early 9-4 lead within the first 5 minutes of the game. It was a feisty affair to begin the game, with multiple fouls occurring on both sides of the ball.
The Wildcats were able to fight their way back to within 1 point of the Lumberjacks with a score of 15-14 entering the second quarter.
Arizona had a quick scoring spurt, first with Perdue hitting a 3-pointer, which was followed immediately by a steal by Sugapong, who passed it again to Perdue for a layup. This increased the Wildcats’ lead to 6 points, 21-15.
With 6 minutes left in the second quarter, Arizona outscored NAU 29-21. The Wildcats were able to stay in control of the lead as the offense continued to find open shots in the paint. Arizona was able to keep its edge, leading at the end of the first half, 37-31.
At the end of the first half, Arizona outscored NAU in the paint, 28-8, as well as 53% field goal shooting compared to NAU’s 43% field goal shooting.
Additionally, the Wildcats showed dominant defense by having 8 fast-break points in contrast to the Lumberjacks’ 1 fast-break point. NAU was careless with the ball, leading to multiple steals for Arizona in the first half. They also showed outstanding defense by holding Naomi White, NAU’s outstanding freshman guard, to just 12 points in the first half.
Second half
The Wildcats began with the ball to start the second half, with Mireia Jurado quickly scoring a jumper from the free throw line. However, White scored two 3-pointers within a minute of each other, cutting the Wildcats’ lead down to merely 2 points.
Arizona quickly fought back from the NAU surge, with Sugapong making a 3-pointer to increase the lead back to a comfortable margin of 10 points, 49-39.
NAU was rattled by the relentless Arizona defense, which led to a shot-clock violation with 40 seconds left in the third quarter.
Entering the fourth quarter, Arizona had a comfortable 68-57 lead, but NAU was not too far off, clawing its way back to get within 4 points of the score. However, Perdue scored a 3-pointer and got called for the foul, sending her to the line and increasing the lead back to 8 points.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Arizona’s defense shined as they had two back-to-back steals, leading to the Wildcats increasing their lead to 13 points, 79-66.
After playing relatively turnover free the majority of the game, Arizona struggled with four turnovers in the final 4 minutes of the game. Despite this, the Wildcats finished the game strong with Blessing Adebanjo securing the victory with a tough layup under the basket.
Arizona set a season high of 87 points against one of the toughest teams they have faced so far this season.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will play the University of Northern Colorado on Tuesday, Nov. 25 in McKale Center at 6 p.m. where Arizona looks to extend its win streak to five games.
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