Arizona Women’s Basketball wins vs ASU, but is not done

TEMPE, AZ – After a 58-53 statement victory over rival ASU to remain undefeated on the year, the Arizona Women’s Basketball team is not done!

Basketball in the desert is alive and well, and while it may not quite be in the form you’re thinking of, the Arizona Women’s Basketball team is doing some big things in case you haven’t been noticing.

For a refresher, let’s paint you a little picture. It’s 2008, the University of Arizona has just fired long-time coach in Joan Bonvincini after the team went just 10-20 (4-14) in 2007-08. However, following that season, that’s when the program would hire a promising up-and-coming coach in Niya Butts to succeed her.

Arizona Wildcats

A bit of a risky hire, however things looked promising at first, especially as the Wildcats would steadily get better each season, even making the NIT Tournament in 2010-11. Unfortunately for Arizona, that’s as good as it ever got under Butts.

That honeymoon phase didn’t seem to last long as the Wildcats would become one of the conferences’ worst teams over the next few years, going a combined 55-99 from 2011-16, leaving many to hope for a change at head coach.

Finally that opportunity would come at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, when Arizona would then turn to one of their own in former Wildcat Adia Barnes, hoping for one of the programs’ best basketball players to hopefully right the ship.

Seemingly taking on the improbable, in Barnes’ first season, she took a team that finished 13-19 from the year prior, to a much more respectable 14-16 record. Unfortunately for her, she would follow that season up with a very difficult year in which Arizona went 6-24 overall. But then things began to change for the better.

Barnes started by bringing in better talent. She recruited her butt off, and the change was almost instantaneous, as they improved to 24-13 in just her third year, even taking the Wildcats to the post-season for the first time since 2010-11.

All the more impressive, the Wildcats would close out the year on a six-game winning streak, ultimately winning the NIT Tournament!

Fast forward to this season and the Wildcats still remain undefeated, however the real challenge begins, and there is still plenty of work in front of them.

This past Sunday would be one of their bigger tests, especially as the Wildcats traveled to Tempe, where they haven’t won since 2000. Looking to end the year undefeated, and also jump start their 2019-20 Pac-12 Conference slate of games, Arizona came out strong!

From the start the Cats were ready for the challenge. Despite falling behind 12-10 after the first period, they responded in a big way, eventually climbing out to a 42-34 lead after the third quarter.

Looking to close out strong, ASU would try to climb back into this one, but Arizona would ultimately close the door for good, when Sam Thomas would hit two clutch free throws to ice this game at 58-53.

https://twitter.com/AZATHLETICS/status/1211425360312782848?s=20

Cate Reese would end the game an impressive 17 points and 10 rebounds, meanwhile Aari McDonald would finish with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists despite fouling out with over a minute left.

With the win, Arizona improves to 12-0 (1-0) and ends the year on an 18-game winning streak that dates back to last season.

However, the real challenge begins as Arizona will have four daunting games in front of them. The team will travel to Southern California this weekend to take on USC and No. 10 UCLA, before returning home against No. 2 Oregon and No. 3 Oregon State the following weekend. Should Arizona split those games, look for big things this season!

At Zona Zealots, we’re excited with how the team is playing, but know the work is just starting. Hopefully the Wildcats can continue their momentum! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!