Information from the Arizona media-relations department contributed to his report:
Arizona’s defense continues to show its imprint of Adia Barnes’ coaching, forcing 15 turnovers and blocking 10 shots, but the Wildcats’ offense struggled in a 56-47 loss Sunday to No. 23 Ole Miss in the Battle4Atlantis semifinal matchup.
The Wildcats (5-1) will conclude their time in the Bahamas on Monday in the Battle4Atlantis third-place game at 12:30 p.m., Tucson time, against South Dakota (3-2).
South Dakota lost the other semifinal game Sunday to Michigan 70-52.
Maya Nnaji was Arizona’s only scorer in double digits with 12 points. The sophomore post player had seven rebounds, two blocks and two assists.
Fellow interior player Breya Cunningham led Arizona with eight rebounds, six on the offensive end. The freshman added five blocks and six points.
Arizona held Ole Miss to just 16 points in the first half, the Rebels’ lowest point total in a half this season.
Prior to its matchup with the Wildcats, Ole Miss scored at least 13 points in every quarter, but the Wildcats held the Rebels to single-digit scoring in each of the first two periods.
The Wildcats were down by eight heading into the fourth quarter, but a series of stops and a 3-pointer by Helena Pueyo brought the Wildcats within three points at the final media timeout. That’s as close as Arizona would get.
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