A swarming defense spurred the Arizona women’s basketball team to its first Big 12 victory under first-year coach Becky Burke.
The Wildcats forced 27 turnovers in a 75-72 triumph over BYU on Tuesday night at McKale Center.
Arizona head coach Becky Burke implores her team to think after taking a slim lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter against BYU, Jan. 6, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona had lost its first three conference games and trailed by six points entering the fourth quarter. The Wildcats rallied behind forward Nora Francois and guard Sumayah Sugapong, who combined for 17 of Arizona’s 24 points in the final period.
Sugapong’s lone 3-pointer of the night tied the score at 71-71 with 1:08 remaining. Sugapong then sank four foul shots in the final 20 seconds to turn a 72-71 deficit into a 75-72 lead. She finished with a season-high 18 points.
Francois had a season-high 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, plus five assists, five steals, four rebounds and two blocks.
Francois’ steal with 17 seconds remaining led to Sugapong’s third and fourth free throws. BYU’s Brinley Cannon missed a tying 3-point attempt just before the final buzzer.
In addition to scoring 22 points off turnovers, the Wildcats made 30 of 33 foul shots — a season-best 90.9%.
Arizona improved to 10-5, 1-3 in the Big 12. BYU fell to 13-3, 2-2. The Wildcats host UCF on Saturday.
Photos: Arizona makes a comeback late to nip BYU 75-72, Big 12 basketball
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) charges to the bench after the buzzer in UA's 75-72 win over BYU, Jan. 6, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13), right, gets a handful of BYU center Lara Rohkohl (13) defending her at the top of the key during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, Jan. 6, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) looks for confirmation from an official after drawing an offensive foul late in the fourth quarter against BYU in their Big 12 game, Jan. 6, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona head coach Becky Burke implores her team to think after taking a slim lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter against BYU, Jan. 6, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) and guard Mireia Jurado (8) celebrate their see-saw 75-72 win over BYU in their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU center Lara Rohkohl (13) picks up the foul trying to deny Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) a shot from the key during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, Jan. 6, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Mickayla Perdue (0) celebrates her three from the key late in the second quarter against BYU in their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) gets hit from behind trying to reverse a shot in the lane against BYU during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) takes a hit on a drive into the paint from BYU forward Bolanle Yussuf (3) during their Big 12 game, Jan. 6, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) scoops her way to an and-1 past BYU forward Heather Hamson (21) in their Big 12 game, Jan. 6, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) scoops her way around BYU forward Heather Hamson (21) to get off a shot during their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) ducks her way to knocking the ball out of the reach of BYU guard Delaney Gibb (11) during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) and BYU guard Olivia Hamlin (7) race for possession of loose ball during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3), left, and forward Nora Francois (13) lose the battle of inches to BYU forward Bolanle Yussuf (3) in the leap for a rebound during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) reaches back to impede the pass from BYU guard Delaney Gibb (11) during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU guard Delaney Gibb (11) gets tied up by Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) as they try to bring down a rebound during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) gets a hand on BYU guard Delaney Gibb (11) defending her near the top of the key during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU guard Delaney Gibb (11) attempts to swim her way out of the grip of Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong is on the court early, getting ready to face BYU for their Big 12 game, Jan. 6, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) takes some semi-contested shots from the key as the Wildcats prepare to face the Cougars, taking on BYU in a Big 12 game, January 6, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
