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No. 22 Arizona Women’s Basketball earns the sweep in LA

By Eric Townsend

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - DECEMBER 04: Shaina Pellington #1 of the Arizona Wildcats dribbles against the New Mexico Lobos during the second half of their game at The Pit on December 04, 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Wildcats defeated the Lobos 77-60. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - DECEMBER 04: Shaina Pellington #1 of the Arizona Wildcats dribbles against the New Mexico Lobos during the second half of their game at The Pit on December 04, 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Wildcats defeated the Lobos 77-60. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – No. 22 Arizona Women’s Basketball (18-5, 8-4) used double-overtime to beat USC (17-6, 7-5) by an 81-75 final. 

Entering Sunday’s action hoping to earn its first sweep in Los Angeles since 2001, No. 22 Arizona Women’s Basketball returned to the hardwood after rallying to beat UCLA in overtime days prior.

Traveling to Los Angeles to close out its week against conference foe, USC, the Wildcats were looking for another marquee win on the season and a sweep of Southern California.

Despite trailing at halftime, the Wildcats used a hot second half in which they outscored the Trojans 40-34.

Arizona shot a combined 43.2 percent from the field, including 5-16 (31.3) from three to beat USC with an impressive, 81-75 double-overtime win.

Overall, it was a combined effort in this one as the Wildcats had three players finish in double-figures; however, it was Arizona’s Cate Reese who led the way, scoring 33 points and grabbing seven rebounds on 13-28 shooting.

Despite USC keeping pace for much of the game, No. 22 Arizona Women’s Basketball was able to come away with the double-overtime win.

Looking to continue its winning ways against USC after knocking off the No. 14-ranked Bruins, the Wildcats were back in action on Sunday afternoon.

And from the tip, the Wildcats felt the fight in this one. Battling in the first quarter, the Wildcats started a bit slow but were able to edge the Trojans 12-11 after the first 10 minutes of play.

Unfortunately in the second quarter, Arizona would experience plenty of offensive woes, especially as the Wildcats scored just six points and fell behind to trail the Trojans 24-18 at halftime.

Hoping to shake off the rust in the second, the Wildcats responded in a big way, opening the third quarter with a 9-3 run to tie the game at 27-27. USC would pull ahead 29-27 briefly, but it was Arizona that outscored USC 12-7 to end the quarter leading 39-36.

Arizona would look to close out of the game strong, but unfortunately, USC rallied, tying the game late and sending this one into overtime.

Hoping to carry that momentum into overtime, the Wildcats got the lead from the tip but the Trojans once again rallied sending this game into a second overtime.

Starting with a small lead, USC was able to tie the game at 70-70, but luckily for Arizona, the Wildcats were able to close out the game on an 11-5 run to come away with the 81-75 win!

With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 18-5 (8-4) on the season and will resume basketball action on Thursday when they take on conference foe Stanford at home! Tip-off against the Cardinal is set for 7:30 PM MST. Arizona will then close out the week against Cal at home on Sunday!

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