No. 8 Arizona Women’s Basketball avenges previous loss to Ducks

TUCSON, AZ – In front of a rowdy and raucous crowd, No. 8 Arizona Women’s Basketball (16-3, 6-3), avenged their previous loss over No. 19 Oregon (14-6, 3-3), winning 63-48. 

It was an electric atmosphere from the tip as No. 8 Arizona Women’s Basketball welcomed No. 19 Oregon for a ‘White Out’ in McKale.

In a battle between two top programs in the conference, the Wildcats brought the intensity, looking to avenge their previous loss to the Ducks that happened just two weeks prior.

As we are all aware by now, the last time these two teams, there was a bit of animosity shared between both coaches, however, there was ultimately much ado about nothing.

Nonetheless, there was still plenty of intrigue and excitement heading into this game, and from the start, Arizona looked as if they were on a mission.

Senior forward Cate Reese was instrumental in the Wildcats’ win, scoring a team-high 13 points while grabbing three rebounds, meanwhile, Sam Thomas came up huge defensively, finishing her night with four steals and a block.

Arizona would take an early lead in this one, leading the Ducks 14-11 after the first period of play before building a little more of a cushion in the second quarter as the Wildcats headed into halftime with a 30-24 lead.

However, a strong surge from Arizona Women’s Basketball in the second half would blow this one wide open as the Wildcats overpowered Oregon.

Finding their rhythm in the second half, Arizona would hit their stride late in the third quarter as the Wildcats would finish out the quarter with a 14-4 run over the last 4:58 to play as the Wildcats led 51-35 heading into the fourth quarter.

Leading comfortably, unlike the last time these two teams met, Arizona would keep the pressure up this time, building up as much as a 21-point lead with 5:52 to play before Oregon would close the game on an 8-2 run.

Luckily for Arizona, the Wildcats would still come away with the huge, 63-48 win over the No. 19 Ducks!

So where does Arizona Women’s Basketball go from here?

With the win, the Wildcats improve 16-3 (6-3) on the year and will have a couple of days off before they return to action on Sunday afternoon when they take on Oregon State in another conference showdown!

Here are highlights from the Wildcats’ win!