Pick your poison.
For the Arizona women’s basketball team this season, this has been what they have to do against teams like Utah, which has more than one lethal weapon. Being undersized and having a short bench will do that to a team.
The Wildcats knew going into Sunday’s game they would have to stop three Utes who can be deadly: Emily Potter, Megan Huff and Daneesha Provo.
But it was another player, freshman Tori Williams, who would go off for 15 points in the first half and help lead the Utes to an 80-56 victory over the Wildcats at McKale Center.
Utah improves to 14-5, 5-3 in Pac-12, while UA drops to 5-14 and 1-7.
“We knew Williams was a great shooter coming in,” said UA coach Adia Barnes. “You’ve got to pick your poison. We tried to pack it in against her and stay close and then she hit a couple threes. That was not our game plan.”
The Utes, coming off a big win over No. 22 ASU Friday, outscored the Wildcats 24-12 in the first quarter and held the lead from the get-go.
However, there were a few bright spots for the Wildcats as they held down 6-foot-6 inch Potter to nine points and four rebounds.
She came in averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
That doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot of banging going on down inside. UA senior JaLea Bennett, who fouled out with eight minutes left in the game, showed her frustration by talking to the refs.
“There was a lot of contact not being called, but we still have to finish our shots,” said Barnes. “I think we missed five layups in the first half. We can control our shots, we can’t control the calls.
“We struggled in man-to-man defense today. Provo is an athlete on the perimeter and Huff was getting hands on the ball. She only had nine rebounds, but it felt like 15. We got killed on the boards by 20.”
The Wildcats were beat on the boards for the second straight game. This time the margin was 40-20.
While the Wildcats came out more intense after the break, Provo, who was held to no points the first half, went 3 of 4 from beyond the arc during the third quarter.
She finished with 12 points. Huff scored 17 points.
Arizona finished with three players in double figures. Marlee Kyles led the team with 15, Sam Thomas added 12 and Lucia Alonso had 11.
Kyles said she feels she is getting her shooting rhythm back after a concussion.
“It’s the little victories we celebrate,” said Barnes. “Like going on a 10-0 run. We had a victory in the best league in the country (Friday night vs. Colorado). Those are hard to come by. Friday was really important for our confidence. We needed it as we have a tough week coming up (away games at Cal at Stanford). I am happy with the split.
“On the road it’s tough, we need to get wins at home.”
Taurasi excited
about Cats’ future
Friday’s win over the Buffs definitely attracted some attention.
Phoenix Mercury mega-star Diana Taurasi was sitting in floor seats with former WNBA and Australian player Penny Taylor, her wife, cheering on the UA on Sunday.
During halftime Taurasi signed autographs and took selfies with fans. After the game she talked to the Wildcats.
Why was she at McKale?
“Morgan (UA assistant coach Valley) and I were roommates for four years at UConn and she’s been coaching for 13 years and I’ve never seen her coach,” said Taurasi after the game against Utah.
“I have a connection with UA, I almost went here and watched Adia here and was one of her biggest fans. I am happy Adia is doing something she loves. It’s the early days here and things don’t happen overnight. The UA coaching staff are winners, and while it will take a little while, they will get there.
“They have a bright future.”
Rim shots
No respect? In the final minute of Friday night’s 72-63 victory, the Buffs played the fouling game. Colorado focused on one player in particular: Wildcat forward Destiny Graham.
She proceeded to make seven of eight free throws, which shouldn’t have been much of a surprise. Graham hits 83 percent from the charity line.
