(Tucson, AZ) This game marks the first time both Arizona and ASU were ranked in the Top 25.
The Devils came in with a five game win steak which included wins over then #2 Oregon and #3 Oregon St. They currently owned a 15-4 overall records with a 5-2 PAC -12 record which is good for fourth place in the conference standing.
The Cats came in with a 58-53 win over ASU on December 29th. Arizona just returned off a big road sweep of the Washington schools and have a three game home stint at McKale. They currently sit in sixth place with a 15-3 overall record and 4-3 in PAC-12 play.
In a packed McKale Center, the Wildcats struck first with a three pointer off a missed shot. The crowd was expected to play a huge roll in the game. Arizona 3 ASU 0
This game was extremely physical from the “get-go.” The officials were letting both teams play as there were few whistles.
ASU took the lead at 7-6 off a three by Robbi Ryan at the 1:53 mark of the first quarter.
With 35.4 seconds left in the quarter, Aari McDonald stole the ball and went in for a layup and was fouled. A flagrant foul was assessed on Iris Mbulito which turned into a four point play and tied the score.
The Cats had a lot of good looks but couldn’t hit the wide open shots. ASU took awhile to get on tract but neither team shot the ball well in the first quarter as shown by the 10-10 tie.
This rivalry is has heated as it’s ever been now that Arizona has emerged in the conference.
Through the first half of the second period, both ASU and Arizona didn’t have any scoring runs.
Coach Adia Barnes called a timeout with just over four minute til the half down 18-14. The designed play had Sam Thomas hit a trey from the top of the key to get the Cats within one 18-17.
The Devils went on 5-0 run before a fifty foot shot at the buzzer by McDonald to tighten up the score at the half 23-20.
The Wildcats were fortunate to only be down three points only shooting 6-24 (25%). Arizona led in rebounds 18-16 which has been a challenge all year.
ASU shot 40% (10-25) from the field and 3-7 on three pointers. Their only free throw attempt was missed.
Dominique McBryde picked up her third foul within the first minute of the third quarter and was forced to the bench.
With 5:27 left in the third quarter, Amari Carter hit a three from the left baseline to keep Arizona within a possession. Devil’s Coach Charli Turner called timeout.
Carter out of the ASU timeout hit a shot off a fast break to tie up the game 27-27.
Zona tool the lead 31-29 at the 3:08 mark with a twisting layup by Sam Thomas.
This was Carter’s quarter as she hit three big shots including a three pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter and Zona up 39-33. The Wildcats outscored Arizona State 19-10 in the quarter.
Cate Reese who had generally been bottled up hit two free throws to state the final period, only her third and fourth points of game to that point.
Back and forth both teams went as neither wanted to lose this game.At the final media timeout Zona had a tenuous 44-40 lead
Thomas picked up her fourth personal foul with 3:23 left that allowed the Devils with one possession. McBryde answered with a three, Cats on top 48-42 with 2:13 and a Sun Devil timeout.
With the game still in doubt, McDonald hit two clutch free throws. Thomas followed at the line hitting both her attempts. Zona now had a double digit lead 52-42 and forced the Devils into another timeout.
A frantic Devils comeback with Ryan hitting a three and got ASU within five 54-49. Ryan again for three 56-52 with 43.5 seconds left as the Sun Devils would not go down quietly.
Ebony Walker hit one of two free throws to keep the Devils within striking distance, but only 16.3 seconds remained.
The Wildcats locked it down in the last ten seconds and swept the Devils for the first time in twenty years.
The attendance was 10,160, the biggest crowd ever to see a regular season game at McKale.
Barnes Tweeted during the week to the fans and Tucson residents to come out and be loud, they responded in droves and McKale was rocking and made life miserable for the rival Sun Devils.
Women’s basketball has arrived and Arizona is third in attendance in the conference behind only the Oregon schools.
Next up the L.A. schools come to town, UCLA comes knocking first and it’s a payback game after the Cat’s defeat at Pauley Pavilion earlier in the month. Game time is 6 pm on Friday January 31st.
