No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball earns sweep over No. 16 ASU
TUCSON, AZ – No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball (16-3, 5-3) earns their first sweep over No. 16 ASU (15-5, 5-3) after thrilling, 59-53 win!
“IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME!” As the No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball came away with a huge win over rival ASU in front of a packed and raucous crowd on Friday evening, head coach Adia Barnes said what we were all thinking following the 59-53 win!
Aari McDonald finished with an impressive 24 points and 11 rebounds, complimented by Sam Thomas’ 14 points and Amari Carters’ 11 points that ultimately helped the Cats earn their 16th win on the season.
Arizona Wildcats
Fresh off a huge sweep of the Washington schools, the challenge however would be on, especially if the Cats were to gain their first sweep over ASU since 2000.
The Devils were riding high coming into this one. Winners of five-straight, with monumental wins over Top-10 teams in Oregon and Oregon State in recent weeks, Arizona needed a strong turn out if they wanted to come away victorious.
Seemingly trading blows in that first quarter, Arizona would be tied at 10-10, sparked by eight, McDonald points.
ASU would respond in the second quarter, putting together a strong defensive and offensive effort, pacing the Devils to a 23-17 lead. That is until McDonald would put up a last second shot just before time expired, sinking the half court bucket, and pulling the Cats within three at the break!
Riding that momentum, the Cats would respond in the second half, and in a big way! Trailing by as many as five to open the half, that’s when Arizona would come to life, fueling good defense into offense, pacing themselves to a 17-6 run, resulting in a six-point lead for the Cats at the break.
Carter would hit the three-point buzzer beater, extending the Cats’ lead to 39-33.
Needing another huge quarter, Arizona would respond, albeit making this one a little too close for comfort down the stretch.
Despite jumping out to a 52-42 lead with 1:36 to play, the Devils wouldn’t go quietly, hitting big shot after big shot, as Arizona’s lead dwindled from 10, down to as few as four with 44 seconds to play.
Luckily, the Wildcats would play smart down the stretch, avoiding fouls on defense and protecting the ball in order to get to the free-throw line.
Even with the Devils’ best effort to try and steal this one, the Wildcats came away victorious, earning the hard fought, 59-53 win!
With the win, the Wildcats now improve to 16-3 (5-3) on the season, and earn their first sweep over ASU since the 2000 season!
Arizona will have the next few days before returning to the court against UCLA and USC next weekend!
Here is what the team had to say following their HUGE win!
light. More. On Arizona Basketball
At Zona Zealots, we’re excited for our Cats in continuing to make strides on the court, and more importantly beating ASU! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!