What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas, as Arizona will return to Tucson with momentum from an 84-69 win over former Pac-12 foe Stanford.
After winning their two exhibition games against Embry-Riddle and Cal State Monterey Bay, Arizona coach Becky Burke was very verbal about the lack of intensity she saw from her team.
“We’re not loving the film that we are seeing in these last two games; there’s not a whole lot I’m excited to come up here and talk about with this game,” Burke said after the win over CSMB.
“We were just out jumping people today because we were superior athletes and that’s not going to work on Monday (against Stanford).”
Burke’s team listened and responded by coming out against Stanford fully focused, playing stellar defense that caused chaos for the Cardinal creating 30 turnovers that accounted for 25 of Arizona’s 84 points.
The Wildcats never trailed in the game leading for 37:53 minutes and the two teams were tied for 2:07 minutes. Each time the Cardinal would come back to tie, Arizona would find a way to pull ahead.
“I mean, they’re athletic, they’re quick. Honestly, they just fly around, and it creates a little bit of havoc out there,” Stanford coach Kate Paye said.
The 15-point win for Arizona was the largest margin of victory over Stanford since 2003 when they beat the Cardinal by 15 points.
“We knew we were undersized, so we had to be like small dog mindset, feisty,” Burke said. “We had to be the aggressors defensively, and that’s what we were. On the backside, guarding the ball, we really dictated defensively, which is why they had 30 turnovers because we knew because of our size that could have been a positive for us to get up in them, get them uncomfortable, and not let them use their (size) to their advantage.”
Maryland transfer Breanna Williams was a menace on offense scoring 23 points and was one rebound shy of getting a double-double with nine. She also had two assists, one steal and was awarded the team’s “Dog” award.
“But I think when I’m coming in the game, I’m not thinking about scoring. I’m kind of thinking about that defensive mindset and going to get rebounds first and foremost, and then you know, the offense kind of comes as secondary,” Williams said.
Sumaya Sugapong added 12 points, five steals and two rebounds.
Aliyahn “Puff” Morris had 11 points, five assists and three rebounds.
Jasleen Green grabbed four steals and added 11 points.
The Wildcats were able to play all 11 players that were suited up for the game and all eleven scored.
Arizona outrebounded the Cardinal by two, 37-35, had 40 bench points, 46 points in the paint and 22 second chance points.
Next up:
The Wildcats will welcome Iona to McKale on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
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