The University of Arizona women’s basketball team (11-11, 2-9 in Big 12) came out on top against Kansas State University (12-12, 5-6 in Big 12) on Wednesday, Feb. 4 in McKale Center. This marked the end of a lengthy six-game losing streak and was their second win in conference play.
Key Players
Arizona had four players in double figures tonight. Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield led with 21 points, shooting 8-for-17 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Cornfield also contributed four steals in the game, playing a big part in the team’s defensive efficiency.
Sumayah Sugapong, another Arizona with double figures, had 12 points, shooting 5-for-13 and had four assists. Sugapong also grabbed 13 rebounds and had three steals. This was her first double-double of the season.
Blessing Adebanjo gave into Arizona’s win on both ends of the floor tonight. Adebanjo scored 17 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field, and a stellar 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. She also had six total blocks along with two steals.
For Kansas State, Tess Heal helped out by putting up 18 points, shooting 6-for-16 from the field, and 6-for-7 from the stripe. She also recorded nine rebounds.
First half
Arizona was off and running with the first points on the board. Adebanjo buried a jump shot by the free throw line. After that shot, Arizona did not look back in the first quarter. Arizona started out explosive, they shot 61% from the field and 60% from three in the first quarter. Cornfield took the ball away from Kansas State guard, Taryn Sides. Sprinting down the sideline, Cornfield ran past Sides and laid it in it off the glass with her right hand.
Arizona forced Kansas State to 15 first-half turnovers. Shortly after, Nora Francois was driving into the lane then kicked it out to Cornfield on the right wing for a 3-pointer. Cornfield had 12 points at the end of the quarter, and Arizona outscored Kansas State 27-11.
After such a hot start for Arizona, their streaky shooting cooled down in the second quarter. It began with a Adebanjo right hand layup, from a beautiful feed from Sugapong. Arizona guard Kamryn Kitchen fouled Heal while she was shooting a 3-pointer, which led to a 3-point swing.
In the first 5 minutes of the second quarter, Kansas State went on a 10-2 scoring run, cutting the deficit to 8 points with plenty of time left. Heal on a fast break drove into the paint and got Adebanjo to jump and hit a layup to make it a 4-point game with 4 minutes left.
Second half
Arizona head coach Becky Burke made many adjustments that got Arizona motivated and ready to go. Right away Arizona forced two turnovers on the first four possessions of the half for Kansas State. Arizona forced three fouls on Kansas State to start the half with Arizona’s lead guard Tanyuel Welch going to the free throw line where she shot 2-for-2. Shortly after, Adebanjo went to the free throw line and made both attempts.
Kansas State guard Izela Arenas drove into the lane and hit a clean floater. Next possession, Cornfield drove into the lane and scooped it off the glass. Immediately after the inbound, Cornfield got a steal and cashed in another layup to make it a 10-point ballgame. Arizona forced an abundance of turnovers, took high percentage shots and ended up with a comfortable lead heading into the final minutes.
Into the finishing stages, Arizona called on Daniah Trammell to close the door on Kansas State. Trammell had 10 of Arizona’s 18 points in the fourth quarter. Trammell started by driving baseline, getting contact and finishing at the rim with a chance to make it a 3-point play.
After a beautiful rebound from Sugapong, Trammell was running in the open court. She received a bounce pass and laid it in to put Arizona in front by 13 points with under four minutes to go. After some intentional fouling from Kansas State, Adebanjo and Welch made their free throws down the stretch to emphasize a 72-62 win.
Looking forward
Arizona will look to keep their momentum going on the road against West Virginia University in West Virginia University Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 7 at noon. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
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