(Tucson, AZ) After a resounding 88-31 victory over Eastern New Mexico last Monday, the Cats turned their focus to the other side of our neighboring state with the Western New Mexico coming in to give Arizona their final tune up before things get real with Idaho State on Friday night.
Although both New Mexico teams have different players from last year, Zona’s undersized Team last year had difficulty putting both teams away.
Tonight’s game the Wildcats came out fast and hard going on a 9-0 run with a three point basket by Lucia Alonso before the Mustangs got on the board.
Cassndra Vickery hit her only field goal was of the quarter, a three pointer to stop the bleeding but the Cats quckly went back on a 11-2 run capped off by Bryce Nixon and Alonso hitting threes.
Arizona led after one quarter 20-5.
Things changed in the second quarter as the Mustangs hung tough only being outscored by Arizona 19-15.
Junior forward Dominique McBride lead the way for the Wildcats by going 4-4 with a three pointer and nine points for the quarter.
Cats lead 39-20 at the half.
The third quarter was the best shooting effort in the two exhibition games for Arizona going 10-15 and 2-3 from behind the arc for 67%. Sophomore point guard Aari McDonald went 3-4 to lead the spot on shooting effort in the quarter.
Zona lead 63-33 after the third quarter.
Western New Mexico had but one weapon in Vickery who did her best and ended with 17 points.
The wildcats cooled off in the dial quarter as Barnes went deep into her bench only shooting 6-14 but hitting 3-6 from three point land from Senior Destiny Graham and Nixon.
Cats wine going away 78-41.
The Mustangs were a group of smaller players and as Coach Barnes stated, “a group of guards.” With an undersize lined up, they created some difficulties for the taller U of A front line.
Barnes was also not pleased with the 15 Wildcat turnover and felt that some of the younger players were lackadaisical on some offensive possessions.
With those turnovers Barnes said, “in the PAC-12 those would be turned into points.”
So now that these young Cats have two exhibition games under their belts, their focus now turns to the regular season as they open this Friday at 6:30 pm against the Bengals of Idaho State.
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