Shaina Pellington scored ten points, while Sam Thomas made a game-winning 3-pointer with one minute left. On Friday night, 8 Arizona defeated Washington by 51 to 42.
In a game marked by turnovers and offensive difficulties, the Wildcats (19-4-9-4 Pac-12) held the Huskies (5-14) scoreless for more that 10 minutes. This was Washington’s eleventh consecutive loss in conference play.
Thomas stated, “I think we want to concentrate on getting wins from now on,” Thomas said. It’s not always going be easy, but it’s a great win. It’s not a good idea to lose a team who has never won a conference game before.
Arizona’s offense struggled tremendously, with a season-low in scoring at 19-for-51. In January, Arizona beat Oregon State 55 to 53. Despite offensive woes, the Wildcats managed to take a comfortable lead and held on to it over the Huskies who played stifling defense in the second half.
Washington was held scoreless by Arizona for the final 9:27 before the half-time break. The Huskies went 0 for 9, and turned the ball over seven more times. Helena Pueyo had four steals for Arizona, while the Wildcats had ten. They also forced 22 turnovers. Gisela Sanchez added eight points for Arizona.
Washington was trailing by 16-7 at halftime. This set a new record for the team’s lowest number of points in a single half. Arizona State was the previous opponent to which Washington had only eight points in halftime.
Adia Barnes, Arizona coach, said that “my philosophy is if your team is not scoring, don’t let the other team score.” She spent 14 years as a member the WNBA Storm and a high-school coach in Seattle.
UW’s Nancy Mulkey scored 52 second into the second period to cut the lead to 16-9. But Arizona responded with an 8-0 run that held the Huskies scoreless for 3:13 more.
However, Arizona didn’t manage to pull off the victory. Barnes stated that the Huskies had “punched us in our face” late. Mulkey scored five points in a row with a 3 and 5 during an 8-0 run that brought it down to 41-37 at 1:44.
Barnes stated that “They got confident but it’s their fault, because we let them do it,”
Thomas closed it down with her 3, at the top of the key, with 1:03 remaining. Mulkey was 13th for UW, and Missy Peterson was seventh.
Tina Langley, UW coach, stated that they shot as well as we did. “The second quarter was the hardest because you could see our frustration offensively, I thought. … But I’m proud to defend the way we do.”
BIG PICTURE
Arizona: The win was ugly, but it will be crucial for the Wildcats in the postseason. Arizona was half-game behind Oregon, second in conference standings. The Wildcats will play Washington State on Sunday in Pullman.
Washington: Although the Huskies won the game’s defense, Langley’s offensive problems continue to plague his first season.
UP NEXT
Arizona: Sunday, Travels to Washington State
Washington hosts Arizona State on Sunday
