After routing New Mexico State by 39 points on Thursday, it looked like more of the same for the University of Arizona women’s basketball team Sunday.
Until the final six minutes.
UA led 58-48 over Hawaii at McKale Center in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t find its shot after that in losing 65-60 to the Rainbow Wahine to drop to 3-7 on the season.
The Wildcats will play their final game of the non-conference season at home Wednesday night at 7 against Southern Utah.
“I don’t know if we ran out of gas or played not to lose and not aggressive after we were up by 10,” said Arizona coach Adia Barnes. “We struggled at times and the lack of bench showed. “
With that 10-point lead and JaLea Bennett on the bench with four fouls, Barnes called a timeout to draw up a play.
The inbounds pass was stolen by Hawaii’s Tia Konoa, who scored on a layup and drew the foul. A quick three-point swing, was the start of Hawaii’s comeback. It would outscore the Wildcats 17-2 the rest of the way.
“It’s hard for us when JaLea is in foul trouble or out of the game,” Barnes said. “She’s such a great athlete and with Destiny (Graham) is not playing her game, it forced us to put others in different positions.
“We need JaLea to win games and in at crunch time. We have to have her on the court at the end of the game.”
Bennett, who finished with 12 points, fouled out with 1:35 left trying to steal the ball.
UA took a 30-28 lead into halftime on a long three-point buzzer-beater by Sam Thomas, who finished with 13 points (4 for 7), and nine rebounds.
“I haven’t hit it once,” said Thomas of the half-court shot. “Actually before every game and in shoot-around we take those shots. I don’t take it.
“I thought “OMG! I might have a chance to make it’ and it went in.”
Lucia Alonso put up career-high 21 points, leading all scorers after going 3 for 6 on 3-pointers. Going into this game, she was hitting 50 percent of her threes; good enough for fourth in the Pac-12.
Alonso came out confident, scoring eight of UA’s 12 points in the first quarter.
The Wildcats’ defense was disruptive, forcing 21 turnovers, the most on the season. They also had 11 steals.
“We have to continue to work on defense,” said Barnes. “Giving up 25 in the fourth, we’re not going to win a game doing that. We have to continue to be smart and take care of the ball. We have gotten better at rebounding. We’re not going to put up 80 points every game.
“Lucia played awesome and Kat is taking better shots. I like that she drove the baseline and that will cause the three to open up for her.
“Sam Thomas is playing a lot of minutes and is the first (for freshman) in the Pac-12 for minutes. That is valuable game experience. ”
