No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball topples rival ASU

TUCSON, AZ – Taking on rival Arizona State (7-5), No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball (11-1, 1-0) cruised in their 84-66 win to begin Pac-12 play. 

Returning to McKale Center after a brief, Holiday break, the No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball team took on rival Arizona State to begin Pac-12 play.

Facing a bit of a tough challenge against the Sun Devils, the Wildcats needed to bring their A-game if they were going to come away with the win.

Much like their game against UT Arlington last week, the Wildcats returned in dominant form. Shooting a combined 55.4 percent from the field, including 28.6 from three, Arizona came away with the rather lopsided, 84-66 win.

Arizona’s starters combined for 62 of the teams’ 84 points, with Esmer Martinez leading the way with 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while shooting 9-14 from the field.

Former Sun Devil Jade Loville had a big day against her old school, scoring 12 points on 6-9 shooting meanwhile, Shaina Pellington and Cate Reese scored 14 and 13 points respectively.

No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball got out to a quick start and paced themselves to the eventual, 18-point win over the visiting Sun Devils.

Finding their rhythm early, Arizona looked like the dominant from the start as the Wildcats jumped out to a 10-2 lead that eventually helped propel the Cats to the dominant, 26-12 first-quarter lead.

Continuing to use a strong, offensive effort in the second quarter, the Wildcats continue to hit shots as ASU found its offense as well. And despite ASU putting up 18 points in the second quarter, Arizona was able to enter halftime with a 42-30 lead.

Hoping to keep its offense churning in the second half, the Wildcats would start a little slow at first, but luckily that did not last long as Arizona responded in a big way, pushing their lead to as many as 28 with 0:41 to play.

However, a layup from ASU’s Trayanna Crisp would cut Arizona’s lead to 26 as the Wildcats led 72-46 after three-quarters of play.

Up big, ASU would control the final quarter, but it was too little too late as the Wildcats cruised to the dominant, 84-66 win over the visiting Sun Devils!

With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 11-1 (1-0) on the season and will resume basketball action on Saturday when they take on Pac-12 foe Cal in Berkeley. Tip-off for that game against the Golden Bears is set for 8:00 PM MST.

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