Arizona Women’s Basketball ends season with loss to UNC

TUCSON, AZ – Arizona Women’s Basketball (21-8, 10-6) battled, but it wasn’t enough as the Wildcats fell to North Carolina 63-45, ending their season. 

It was not quite the night to remember for Arizona Women’s Basketball as the Wildcats shot just 17-59 (28.8 percent) from the field including 7-27 (25.9 percent) from three, en route to scoring just 45 points in their 18-point loss.

Senior Sam Thomas finished her evening with 15 points and two rebounds in what was her final game, but unfortunately for Arizona, it wasn’t enough as the rest of the team struggled to find any offensive rhythm.

Arizona jumped out to an early 9-8 lead after the first four-plus minutes of play, but unfortunately, that was the last time that the Wildcats would lead in this one.

North Carolina would end the final 5:19 of the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 14-9 lead, thanks in large part to Arizona’s offensive woes.

The very next quarter, the Tar Heels would experience much of the same, scoring 14 points and holding the Wildcats to just eight points, taking a 28-17 lead at the half.

For Arizona Women’s Basketball, the offensive woes would continue in the second half, as the Wildcats would ultimately fall at home.

Starting the second half strong, Arizona would cut North Carolina’s lead down to just seven after an 8-4 run to begin the half.

Unfortunately, North Carolina would respond in a big way, outscoring Arizona 15-2 over the final 5:33 to take a dominant 47-27 lead with just one quarter to play.

The Tar Heels would jump out to a 24-point lead at 51-27 to start the half, but then the Wildcats would slowly start to climb back in, responding with a 14-3 run to cut their lead down to 13.

Arizona would then run out of steam as North Carolina closed out the game on a 9-4 run, ultimately securing the 63-45 win.

Where does Arizona Women’s Basketball go from here?

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 21-8 (10-6) and end their year with a tough loss to North Carolina in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

Now, the Wildcats will have to regroup this off-season and try to replace the departures of several key players, most namely Sam Thomas.

The hope is that with the combination of the incoming recruiting class and the Wildcats returners, Arizona will have a bit more offensive firepower next season.

Listen to the Wildcats following their loss to North Carolina.