University of Arizona Women’s Basketball
Coming off a road split with the Oregon schools, Arizona returned home to take on Washington and Washington State.
Friday night brought the Dogs to McKale where the Cats were waiting to rumble. Washington, coming off of a solid win against Colorado, was looking to take down the #12 team in the country . Unfortunately for the Huskies, there was too much Arizona love in the air and the Wildcats were ready to play. Behind stiff defense, 4 players scoring in double figures and shooting 49% – 50% from three, the Wildcats took the win and increased their record to 20-4. Aari McDonald scored 19 points, Cate Reese had 13 points, and Amari Carter added 10 points. Freshman guard Helena Pueyo came off the bench, giving the Wildcats an offensive spark, adding 14 points hitting 4-6 beyond the arc. Sam Thomas came alive on defense and had 6 blocks (only the 7th player in program history to accomplish this) and 4 steals. Final score: Arizona 64 Washington 53.
Sunday the wildcats faced the Cougars of Washington State. Arizona led the whole game taking a 10 point lead early in the first quarter and never looked back. Sam Thomas and Aari McDonald combined for 39 of the Wildcat’s 72 points. McDonald had 21 points on 9-14 shooting. She also had 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Thomas scored 18 points on 6-10 shooting and had 6 assists along with 4 steals.
Next up for the Wildcats:
Friday February 21, 2020 at Utah 7 PM
Sunday February 23, 2020 at Colorado 12:00 PM
In The News
Tee Tee Starks was invited to participate in the 2020 So You Want To Be A Coach program. This program is put on by the WBCA and is held during the Final Four in New Orleans from April 2-4. Tee Tee is the third Arizona women’s basketball player in the last three years to be invited. The other two are Kat Wright and Destiny Graham.
Arizona swept the L.A. schools for the first time in 15 years
By beating Oregon State, Arizona beat a top 10 team for the first time in program history
Aari McDonald has scored in double-figures in 61-straight games which is the longest active streak in the nation
Arizona has won 21 of their first 25 games of the season for the first time in 20 years
The Wildcats have won 5 straight home conference games for the first time in 15 years
Arizona has won 10 conference games – the last time was in 2011
Aari McDonald keeps getting national attention and it is well deserved.
- Wooden Award Late Season top 20 List
- Dawn Staley Award Watch List
- Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Top 10 Finalist
- Naismith Player of the Year Midseason Team
Cate Reese is making her mark on the national scene as well. Cate was just named one of the 10 finalists for the Katrina McClain Award.
*Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics
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University of Arizona Men’s Basketball
The Wildcats hit the road to take on the Bay area schools looking to get their second road sweep of the year after a huge loss at home to UCLA that took them out of the top 25.
Heading into the Cal game on Thursday night, the Wildcats were needing a win. Not just for tournament seeding purposes, but team moral. UCLA had just dominated them in McKale and that doesn’t happen often. The team responded. Arizona, despite getting out rebounded 37-32, and looking a bit out of sorts for most of the game (a possible roll over from the loss to UCLA) was able to leave Cal with the win. The game saw the return of the 3 for Dylan Smith, a solid 7 assist night for Nico Mannion and Zeke Nnaji contributed 21 points.
Arizona arrived at Stanford looking to get their second Pac-12 road sweep. While the Cardinal’s Oscar de Silva sat out Thursday’s game against the Sun Devils after suffering a scary head injury that required stitches in a game the week before against Colorado, he was suited up and ready to play on Saturday night. De Silva played limited minutes, but still had a productive night with 15 points. Zeke Nnaji had his second straight 21 point game and Josh Green broke out of a mini slump adding 15 point to help lead the Wildcat’s to a victory. Arizona is the only team in the conference to record two road sweeps this season.
Next up for Arizona:
Oregon State – Thursday February 20, 2020 6 PM
Oregon – Saturday February 22, 2020 7 Pm
In The News
Zeke Nnaji is named Pac-12 Freshman of the week for the fourth time.
Arizona makes it back into the top 25 landing at 24
*Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics
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University of Arizona Baseball
Arizona welcomed Albany to Hi Corbett field for their season opening series.
Behind strong pitching and hot bats, the Wildcats dominated all three games against the Great Danes sweeping the weekend series. Here is a quick look at each game:
Friday February 14, 2020 – Wildcats 12 – Albany 7
Wildcats offense took off right away scoring six runs in the first two innings. Donta Williams, Austin Wells and Matthew Dyer combined for 8-12 batting for 6 runs, three doubles, one home run and eight RBI’s. Starting pitcher Garrett Irvin pitched 5 innings and struck out 7 batters.
Saturday February 15, 2020 – Wildcats 15- Albany 0
While the players may have slept overnight, the Arizona bats did not. The Wildcats continued their offensive dominance over the Great Danes with 13 hits, seven for extra bases. Albany’s pitchers struggled giving up 11 walks. With Quinn Flanagan and right hand reliever Wesley Scott allowing just two hits and striking out thirteen batters, Arizona blanked Albany to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Sunday February 16, 2020 – Wildcats 11- Albany 3
The Wildcats extended their nation leading winning streak to 13 with their win and series sweep over the Great Danes. Freshman Chandler Murphy threw 5 shut out innings striking out seven batters and only allowing three hits. Arizona’s bats, once again, were hot. Five batters had multiple hits. Kyson Donahue went 3 for 3 with four runs scored and two walks. Donta Williams and Austin Wells combined for 4 for 7 with seven RBI’s and three walks.
Next up for the Bat Cats:
Minnesota – Tempe, Arizona 11 AM
Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament – San Diego, CA February 21-23, 2020
520 Sports Talk will be covering Arizona baseball all season, so make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our website for all of your baseball highlights.
*Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics
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University of Arizona Softball
The Hillenbrand Invitational was held at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium February 14-16. The Wildcats, ranked #4 in the country, faced off against Long Beach State, Northern Iowa, Bryant and #2 Oklahoma. Arizona went 4-1 on the weekend with their only loss coming in 10 innings against Oklahoma.
On Friday the Lady Bat Cats started the Invitational playing Long Beach State winning a tight pitching dual 2-1. Mariah Lopez allowed only one run on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. The offense couldn’t get their bats warmed up, but managed to get just enough from Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza, Jessie Harper and Malia Martinez to get the W. The Wildcats stranded nine runners. In game number 2, Arizona took on Northern Iowa and the bats finally started to connect. The Cats came from behind to take Northern Iowa into extra innings and won in walk off fashion on a dropped fly ball hit by Isabella Dayton with bases loaded. Final score 7-6 Wildcats.
Arizona split Saturdays games beating Bryant 3-1 and dropping a hard fought extra inning nail biter to #2 Oklahoma 4-6. In Arizona’s win over Bryant, Mariah Lopez struck out 13 batters which tied her season high. Lopez did not allow one walk and only gave us one run on three hits. With eight different Wildcats getting hits including multiple hits from Sharlize Palacios and Jenna Kean, Arizona plated just enough to grab the win. Game number 2, was exactly what you would expect from two top 5 teams. Great pitching, some good hits and a few early season jitters. Arizona lead 4-3 going into the 7th inning. After Oklahoma hit a single and double off of pitcher Alyssa Denham putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with no one out, Denham was pulled in favor of Oklahoma transfer Mariah Lopez. Facing her former team, Lopez was able to get out of the inning with just one run crossing the plate. The Wildcats couldn’t put it away in the bottom of the 7th, so the teams headed into extra innings. In the 10th inning Oklahoma had bases loaded when Grace Green hit a fly ball to left field which was dropped bringing 2 runs in. Arizona couldn’t respond and the Sooners took the win.
The Wildcats faced Long Beach State on Sunday. Behind Alyssa Denham’s second career no-hitter, Sharlize Palacios solo home run, solid hitting from Jessie Harper, Ivy Davis and Alyssa Palomino Cardoza, Arizona was able to put away LBS 6-0 and improve to 9-1 on the young season.
Next up for the Lady Bat Cats:
U.S. Women’s National Team Tuesday February 18, 2020 7 PM.
Mary Nutter Classic February 20-22 in Cathedral, California
520 Sports Talk will be covering all UofA Softball games, so make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our website for all of the latest on Arizona Softball.
*Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics
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Pima Women’s Basketball
The Lady Aztecs beat South Mountain Community College in blow out fashion. Haile Gleason scored 21 points off the bench, adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Pima, trying to catch Mesa Community College for the number 1 seed in the ACCAC Division ll standings, are on a 4 game winning streak.
Next up for the Aztecs:
Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ February 19, 2020 5:30 PM
*Photo Courtesy of Pima Athletics
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Pima Men’s Basketball
Make that 6 in a row! The Pima Men’s Basketball team in turning it on at the right time defeating South Mountain Community College 102-85 on Saturday. The Aztecs were lead by Jake Lieppert, Rashad Smith and Cole Gerken who combined for 82 points. The Aztecs are still in the hunt for the 2 seed in the ACCAC Division ll standings.
Next up for Pima:
Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ February 19, 2020 7:30 PM
*Photo Courtesy of Pima Athletics
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Pima Baseball
It was a matchup of 12 vs 13 as the #12 Pima Aztecs faced #13 Arizona Western College in a double header on February 15th. Behind Ochoa’s 6 RBIs the Aztecs defeated the Arizona Western 7-6 in the first game and 15-12 in game two. Pima is now 13-0 on the season and will head to South Mountain Community College for a double header.
Next up for Pima Baseball:
Double header at South Mountain Community College Phoenix, Arizona February 18, 2020
*Photo Courtesy of Pima Athletics
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Pima Softball
The Pima Ladies went on the road to face Mesa Community College on Saturday. Mesa swept a struggling Aztec team. While the Aztecs hit well enough to get on base, they stranded 13 runners between the two games.
Game 1: Mesa 4-Pima 0
Game 2: Mesa 9-Pima 1
Next up for Pima Softball:
Double header at Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler, Arizona February 18, 2020
*Photo Courtesy of Pima Athletics
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Arizona Tennis
Women
Arizona took care of business on Saturday defeating New Mexico State and Santa Clara 6-1 in both matches. Abby Amos and Gitte Heynemans won all four of their matches to lead the Wildcats to victory.
Next up for the women:
The Blue Gray Classic in Alabama
Men
The number 23 Saguaro Soldiers, also known as Arizona Men’s Tennis, took care of business at home defeating the UCSB Gauchos 7-0 on Saturday. Senior Alejandro Regrant remains undefeated in dual play after winning in 3 sets. Top 80 player Filip Malbasic (#76) defeated the #8 singles player in the country Joseph Guillin in straight sets. This win earned Malbasic the Pac-12 Player of the week award. This win also marks a milestone for coach Clancy Shields giving him his 99th win as head coach.
Next up for the men:
The Blue Gray Classic in Alabama
*Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics
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Arizona Golf
Women
Head Coach Laura Ianello and the Lady Cats headed to Palos Verdes, California to take part in the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge last Tuesday. The Wildcats finished tied for 13th. Freshman Gile Bite Starjute tied for 25th individually.
Next up for the Lady Cats:
Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida March 2, 2020
Men
The Arizona Men’s Golf team won their 3rd straight Arizona Intercollegiate Championship beating Baylor by 9 strokes. The Wildcats had 4 players finish in the top 11. Trevor Werbylo finished 2nd, Brad Reeves ended in 4th place, Briggs Duce tied for 9th and David Laskin ended the match tied for 11th.
Arizona is currently ranked #3 in the country.
Next up for the Men
John Burns Intercollegiate in Lihue, Hawaii February 20-22, 2020
*Photo Courtesy of Arizona Athletics
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Club Softball
The 4th annual “Can’t Beat the Freeze” tournament at Ora Mae Harn Park in Marana results:
10U Champions – Punishers – Falquez 09
10U Runner Up – Firecrackers – Kemper 09
12U Champions – Rebels 07
12U Runner Up – AZ Storm – Romero
14u Champions – DT Basaldua
14u Runner Up – Royals 05
Please let us know of any other results from this tournament.
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If you have sporting news that you would like to see featured in our Around The 520 Weekly Wrap Up, please send it to us at [email protected]. We love to highlight our Southern Arizona teams and their successes.
Lori Burkhart
520 Sports Talk
