Coming off of back-to-back losses, Arizona (16-12, 7-8 Big 12) knew getting a win in Wednesday’s game against BYU (13-13, 4-11) was important. A win would give the Wildcats momentum heading into the last three games of the regular season. It would also help seeding in their first Big 12 tournament.
The Wildcats have struggled with third quarter lulls all season and Wednesday night was not an exception as BYU outscored Arizona 15-6. Arizona had field goal-scoring droughts of 4:46 in the third quarter and 3:46 in the fourth quarter but held on to beat the Cougars 65-57 at McKale Center.
“When we have a cushion at halftime, I think the part of us getting to that next level being a tournament team is being able to put people away and keep the pedal to the metal (so) we have momentum going into halftime,” Arizona coach Adia Barnes said. “The over-help at the end of the second quarter (defensively) led to a 3. So then you go into halftime, they have momentum. So those are the little things.”
How sweep it is
Arizona’s win over BYU secured the Wildcats’ first sweep of a Big 12 opponent. Arizona beat BYU in Provo on Dec. 21 by the score of 57-53.
The team nor their coach was aware that the win over the Cougars was their first sweep since entering the Big 12.
“I’m proud of them, they are doing a good job. Our first sweep. That’s fun. That’s a good thing,” Barnes said.
Sophomore guard Skylar Jones added, “Our coach said that today starts a new season for our hopes for the postseason, so that’s what we were thinking about. So, it’s good that we have to start with a sweep in our first time in the conference.”
Cunningham’s improved defense
Breya Cunningham played the first half against BYU without being called for a foul. While that doesn’t sound like a big deal for most players, Cunningham and whistles have not gotten along most of the season. The sophomore has fouled out of seven games and accumulated four fouls in six more games, which limited her time on the floor.
Cunningham has been working on defending without fouling and that work is starting to pay off.
“I think the only thing that I was conscious of on defense was keeping my hands up,” Cunningham said on staying out of foul trouble. “I don’t feel like I changed anything else on defense. I was still aggressive on defense. I feel like, sometimes playing with a real big, two bigs, they kind of let us play a little bit more.”
Barnes added: “We talked, it was emphasis for two or three days straight showing her film. It’s unnecessary you slapping down when the guard is already beat. You slapping down and making a foul, it just takes you out of the game. So understanding like go make them shoot over a wall if you are tall. Make them take a tough shot versus a foul.”
Arizona’s Beh is everywhere
Fifth year senior forward Isis Beh is a difference maker for Arizona.
The only senior on the team, her fellow players like to refer to her as auntie or gramma.
That nickname isn’t just because she is the oldest on the team it is also because she is the glue that keeps the Wildcats cohesive as a team.
You often see Beh celebrating great plays by teammates or going over to give advice to the younger players when things get tough. Her genuine joy of playing the game is palpable.
Last year, Beh averaged 4.9 points per game and had three made 3-point shots. This season she is averaging 7.6 points and has made 11 shots from 3-point range. She has hit at least one 3-point shot in the last nine games and has started 25 out of 28 games.
Improvement in scoring isn’t the only area Beh’s experience is showing. She has a nose for the ball on defense and creates chaos in the paint and on the parameter.
Beh has 97 rebounds, 45 assists, 33 steals and six blocks this season.
“Isis continues to be one of our most consistent players,” Barnes said. “She’s playing at a high level.”
Arizona next plays at Houston in the Hofheinz Pavilion at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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