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No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball upsets No. 4 Utah

By Eric Townsend

TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Adia Barnes of the Arizona Wildcats talks to guard Shaina Pellington #1 of the Arizona Wildcats during the NCAAB game against the Oregon Ducks at McKale Center on February 04, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats won 63-48. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Adia Barnes of the Arizona Wildcats talks to guard Shaina Pellington #1 of the Arizona Wildcats during the NCAAB game against the Oregon Ducks at McKale Center on February 04, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Wildcats won 63-48. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball (20-6, 10-5) avenged its previous loss to Utah (22-3, 12-3), upsetting the No. 4 Utes, 82-72. 

Resuming Pac-12 action inside the friendly confines of McKale Center on Friday evening, No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball was back in action, looking to get the upset against the visiting No. 4 Utah Utes.

Taking on a talented Utah team, the Wildcats were going to have a significant challenge in this one, especially as the Utes were the considerable favorites. And luckily, the Wildcats were up to the task!

Despite their porous shooting from behind the arc, the Wildcats scored 82 points as the team shot a combined 50.9 percent from the field to come away with the 82-72 win!

Arizona’s Shaina Pellington scored a game-high and career-high 35 points on 13-18 shooting from the field, meanwhile, Cate Reese and Helena Pueyo scored 16 and 12 points respectively.

Despite Utah hanging tough, No. 18 Arizona Women’s Basketball was able to use a huge, offensive performance to come away with the 82-72 upset!

Looking to avenge its previous loss to Utah and continue its winning ways after beating Cal last Sunday, Arizona returned to action with a huge challenge ahead as they took on the visiting Utes.

And from the tip, the Wildcats were up to the challenge! Asserting its dominance early on, Arizona climbed out to a 13-5 lead in the first six-plus minutes of game action.

Granted, Utah would end the first quarter outscoring Arizona 12-9 to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 22-17.

Fortunately for Arizona, the Wildcats’ would continue to maintain its momentum in the second quarter, especially as Utah’s offense came to life, exploding for 23 points in the second quarter. Luckily, Arizona still led 44-40 at halftime!

Returning the hardwood in the third quarter, Arizona’s defense would tighten its clamps, holding No. 4 Utah to just 13 points as Arizona outscored the Utes 19-13 to lead 63-53.

Looking to continue its dominant play, the Wildcats would use its momentum in the fourth quarter as Arizona held on to come away with the convincing, 82-72 win!

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 20-6 (10-5) on the season and will resume basketball action on Sunday when they take on No. 21 Colorado in Tucson! Tip-off against the Buffaloes is set for 12:00 PM MST!

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