(Tucson, AZ) After coming off a split of the Washington schools, the Cats really wanted a sweep of the Mountian schools. First up was Utah.
Arizona took three minutes to get their first point, but only trailed the Utes 4-2 as neither team was sharp early on. At the 6:27 mark, Zona tied it off two free throws from Aari McDonald.
Arizona at the first media time out trailing 8-4 was 1-5 from the field while Utah went 4-12. All of the Utes points were in the paint.
The Wildcat’s ball movement out of the time out was improved as the Cats went on a 4-0 run time cut the lead to 11-10.
With 1:03 left in the opening quarter Arizona had their first lead 14-13 once again off McDonald’s ability to break down the defense and convert her free throws.
An ill advised pass from McDonald was picked off and the Utes converted an old fashioned three point possession to close out the half leading 17-14.
The Widcats went 4-5 from the field after the media time out to finish at 50% shooting from the field. Arizona lost the rebounding battle 12-8.
Both teams again came out tenous and Utah didn’t score until 7:13 in the second quarter. The Cats followed with the next five points and trailed 20-19.
With 3:11 to go till half, a Utah turnover in the paint lead to a nice outlet pass to a wide open Tee Tee Starks for a go ahead layup 21-20. Utah would score on their next possession to retake the lead 22-21,
Neither team could score until 1:08 when McDonald went left and scored on a layup. The Cats back in the lead and Sam Thomas slammed the lid on the first half by sinking a three pointer from the right baseline at the buzzer. Arizona went into the locker room up 27-22.
The second half of both first and second quarters Arizona makes the most of their shots going a combined 7-9 to finish strong.
Zona caught up on the boards doing a much better job boxing out and ended the half tied in rebounds 20-20.
Coach Barnes went big inserting Semaj Smith in place of Cate Reese which paid immediate dividends both on the boards and clogging up the lane.
Reese opened the second half at 9:33 with a soft touch three footer. After a Utah basket, freshman Bryce Nixon picked a loose ball and hit a three from the left wing giving Arizona its biggest lead to that point 32-24.
Utah came right back with a 7-0 run highlighted by the three pointer from freshman Andrea Torres.
Out of the time out by Barnes, McDonald hit a clutch three to stop the run and then scored another five points and got Zona back to an seven point lead 40-33 at the third quarter media time out.
Smith once again showing her presence with a sweet turn around jumper and then immediately had a block at the Utah end.
With a pair of free throws from Thomas, the Cats had a nine point lead 44-33 with under two minutes left in the third quarter.
The Utes quickly turned that around with a 9-0 run to shrink the lead back to four 44-42. McDonald’s drive in the lane and subsequent free throws ended the third quarter with the Cats holding a tenuous lead 46-42.
Starks with time running out on the Arizona possession drove left and scored the Cats first points of the final period, 48-43.
McBryde’s nice spin move in th lane kept the pressure on the Utes 50-44.
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Sarah Porter came back with a three from the left side drew Utah back within three, but McBryde once again was there for the Cats with a bucket and one of two from the line. Zona back up by six 53-47, but Utah came right back with a three pointer.
Thomas came back with a drive assisted by Starks to put Arizona up 55-50 at the final media time out.
Destiny Graham got mugged on the drive with no foul and then got fouled again on her shot but missed both free throws.
At the 3:30 mark Thomas hit a shit just inside the three point line to put the Cats back up by seven 57-50. Utah hit one of two from the line 57-51.
McBryde was fouled as the shot clock ran out and hit both free throws. The Utes came back with a quick score before calling time out 59-53.
McBryde out of the Utah time out scored again with Thomas adding th dagger with a three from the right baseline and with McDonald hitting one free throw, Zona suddenly was up ten 65-55 with just 50.6 left.
With 38.6 seconds left, Destiny Graham got leveled at half court off a long rebound but no flagrant foul was called. She hit one of two free throws and the Wildcats ran out the clock to win 66-55.
Arizona’s defense was strong the entire game only allowing Utah to shoot 29.7% on 19-64 shooting. A stark contrast from the game last month in Salt Lake City.
Even though Coach Barnes cemented that the young Cats still need to box out more efficiently, Arizona won the rebound battle 41-35.
McBryde locked down Megan Huff who averaged a double-double to six points on 1-13 shooting. Dre’Una Edwards led Utah with 21 points and was the only Ute in double figures.
One thing that was very noticeable was Arizona led the entire second half with Utah getting close at 48-44 and 50-47, but remained resilient.
Once again, brick by brick, game by game this team is learning the values of what it will take in the future to be a top tier team.
Colorado will come to McKale on Sunday at noon after being crushed by Arizona State 66-49.
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