The Wildcats kicked it up a notch for Senior Day, bringing the energy for a full 40 minutes.
However, it wasn’t quite enough to outpace No. 8 Oregon, which defeated the Wildcats 74-61 Sunday at McKale Center.
The Ducks, who are now 27-4 overall and 16-2 in league play, earned the Pac-12 title outright with the victory. The UA drops to 6-23, 2-16.
Oregon had to earn the win. The Wildcats beat the Ducks on second-chance opportunities 14-10, points off turnovers 14-5 and steals 9-2.
“I am pleased with our effort,” said UA coach Adia Barnes. “We played with tremendous energy and I’m proud of the performance. We’ve had energy, but not for 40 minutes.
“I think there were more emotions tonight. I will expect it all the time (going forward). In the future we will always be diving for 50/50 balls. We will demand it.”
The UA will next play in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament at 8:30 p.m. Thursday against Arizona State.
Everyone stepped up, from Kiana Barkhoff, who came in early and was blocking shots and changing shots around the rim, to Sam Thomas, who was aggressive with her shots.
“Kiana has gotten so much better (as the season has progressed),” said Barnes. “It’s great that she played like this in her last game. It will give her confidence going into the offseason.
“I love Sam being so aggressive and taking her shots. Tonight she came alive. I truly believe she is Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. With her numbers, I think she deserves it.”
Thomas exploded in the first quarter with four consecutive baskets on as many possessions. With 3:05 left, she pulled the Wildcats within three at 16-13.
On top of that, she was diving for 50/50 balls and altering shots on defense. She finished with 17 points, 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.
At the half, Oregon led 33-23.
With 3:30 left in the game, the Wildcats clawed back to within five thanks to five straight points by JaLea Bennett (a made layup that drew a foul, and a steal, pass to Lucia Alonso who kicked it back to Bennett for the basket).
However, Oregon’s Lexi Bando answered with back-to-back contested threes.
“Oregon knows how to do it, they know what it takes, and knows when to get the big shot,” said Barnes. “That was a dagger for sure. We don’t know how to win yet. When you get within five, you have to bear down and get a stop. You can’t allow that from a great shooter like her.”
Bennett finished with 14 points. Kat Wright and Destiny Graham added 12 apiece.
Rim shots
The Wildcats celebrated the seniors in a ceremony after the game. They said goodbye to JaLea Bennett, Kat Wright, Taryn Griffey, graduate manager Alexus Atchley, and manager Kevin Edwards. Griffey, who medically retired before this season, is still very much part of the team. She attended all practices and sat on the bench at home games.
- The UA is the No. 11 seed for the Pac-12 Tournament while ASU (19-11, 10-8) is No. 6. The Sun Devils beat the Wildcats twice this month, winning 75-50 in Tempe on Feb. 16 and 69-45 in Tucson two days later.
