My top three takeaways from Arizona’s 78-43 bounce-back win over Seattle at McKale Center on Monday night following the back-to-back losses against Vanderbilt and California last week at Palm Springs, Calif.:
PAULINA PARIS BEST GAME AS A WILDCAT
The junior from Congers, N.Y., tied her career high with 22 points and dished out a career-best eight assists.
With no Lauryn Swann (nursing a shoulder injury) or Isis Beh (concussion protocol) in the lineup, Paris played a season-high 34 minutes and made the most of her opportunity.
“My teammates were looking for me. I hadn’t been playing the best leading up to this game, just preparing, I’ve been in the gym a lot,” Paris said.
Paris spent the first two years of her career at North Carolina before transferring to Arizona this season.
“That’s a phenomenal game for her and I thought she played the best game yet,” Arizona coach Adia Barnes said of Paris.
Paris was chosen the “Bang the Drum” Player of the Game.
DEFENSE WILDCATS, DEFENSE
Arizona set a season high as a team with 15 steals, with four players recording three or more steals individually.
After allowing 32 first-half points, the defense locked in for the second half, allowing nine points in the third quarter and just two in the fourth quarter.
“Coming off of this weekend, (we) didn’t play our best defense. These past two days have been working on ourselves and taking over that side of the floor,” Paris said.
The 43 points the Wildcats allowed was the second lowest of the season behind the Tarleton State game in which the Wildcats allowed just 39 points.
MONTAYA DEW FIRST CAREER START IS SUCCESSFUL
Sophomore forward Montaya Dew made her first career start, in place of Beh, and delivered an all-around game with four points, 11 rebounds, four assists and five steals.
“(Montaya’s) awesome, (Montaya) has a really high basketball IQ. I thought she did a tremendous job on the boards and pursued offensive rebounds,” Barnes said.
Dew filled was everything that the Wildcats needed, replacing Beh in the lineup, logging a team high 38 minutes.
“It felt amazing, just having to step up when one of our players was out. It felt good to be there for the team,” Dew said.
The Wildcats (7-3) next host Grand Canyon at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Bio: Henry Kaplowitz is a senior at the University of Arizona studying journalism. He is interested in sports reporting and can be reached at henrykaplowitz@arizona.edu.
Recommended for you
