Arizona coach Becky Burke won her 100th Division I game as a head coach on Thursday night when the Wildcats eclipsed 100 points in a game for the first time in three seasons.
Arizona routed Bellarmine 105-59 in front of 5,124 fans at McKale Center in a game Burke called a “fun one.”
“It just seemed like everyone was loose but playing really really hard at the same time,” said Burke, who is 100-62 in stops at USC Upstate, Buffalo and Arizona. “We’re really excited for us to break 100 and everybody gets to score. Everybody gets good minutes … (and) not getting complacent with a lead.”
It was the first time Arizona scored in triple digits since the Wildcats won the 2022-23 season opener 113-56 against Northern Arizona at McKale Center.
Burke is 182-94 in 10 seasons overall as a head coach including a two-year stint at Embry-Riddle in Prescott to start her career and two years at Division II program Charleston.
Five players ended Thursday night’s game with double-digit points as the Wildcats (9-2) had more than a 26% advantage shooting from the field in addition to 13 fewer turnovers and nine more assists than Bellarmine (2-10).
Noelani Cornfield finished with five steals and 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field.
Tanyuel Welch led the team in scoring with 17 points.
Blessing Adebanjo finished with 11 rebounds and six points. She earned the
“I’m grateful. I can’t believe I can run on the court just because I’ve been having issues with my leg,” Adebanjo said. “For me, getting this tonight (team postgame MVP award) is something that is pushing me forward.”
Arizona came out hot from the beginning on both sides of the ball, Tayuel Welch led her team making both of her attempted baskets and hitting her lone field goal try. The Wildcats were able to hold the Knights to 3-of-12 shooting from the field while going 9-of-17 themselves.
Arizona was also able to get the Knights into foul trouble early getting eight personal fouls in the opening quarter on a night that Bellarmine was only able to field seven players.
The Wildcats finished the quarter on a 9-0 run that extend to 13-0 in the second quarter.
Arizona continued to dominate defensively in the second quarter, ending the half allowing only six more scores from the floor and forcing 13 turnovers compared to three from the Wildcats.
Cornfield came to life finishing the half with eight points on 4-of-9 shooting as Arizona took a 55-27 lead into halftime. Welch finished with seven points in the half.
Not much changed after halftime.
After scoring back-to-back 3’s to open the half, Bellarmine scored one field goal in the last four minutes of the third quarter.
The Wildcats extended their lead to 82-46 entering the final quarter.
They were able to keep up the defensive pressure only allowing one field goal in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.
Arizona will play its conference opener against Utah on Monday at noon at McKale Center.
“You are 0-0 starting on Monday,” Burke said, referring to the conference season starting. “That mentality of ‘this is the season,’ practice for these Big 12 games, nothing will change.”
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