Adia Barnes’ message to Helena Pueyo was loud and clear: Be ready to shoot when you come off the bench.
Pueyo listened.
Thirty-three seconds after she checked into Sunday’s game, she let it fly from beyond the arc for her first 3 of the afternoon.
She would go on to knock down a total of four as the Wildcats completely dominated Oregon State in a 67-51 victory at McKale Center Sunday.
No. 11 Arizona improves to 10-2 overall and 8-2 in the Pac-12 — the best league start in 17 years — while OSU drops to 3-4, 1-4.
UA earned its first win over Oregon State at home in a decade and it’s the first time the Wildcats have won back-to-back games over the Beavers in nine years. This is their first sweep of the Oregon schools in 10 years.
Arizona Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo (13) looks to make the pass over Oregon State Beavers guard Savannah Samuel (24) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., on January 17, 2021. Arizona won 67-51.
All four of Pueyo’s 3s came in the first half — three in that first quarter. She finished with 15 points, tying her career-high from last season’s Monmouth game. She went 3 of 4 from the free-throw line.
After the game, she was modest and said, “nothing happened.” She just came off the bench good and she’s trying to do her “best shooting.”
Meanwhile, teammate Lauren Ware had her own message for Pueyo.
“She needs to shoot the ball more,” Ware said.
Pueyo’s hot hand — hitting back-to-back 3s — got the Wildcats rolling. Then Sam Thomas hit a 3 and the offense kicked it up a notch. Thomas finished with 8 points on 3 of 3 from the field.
Aari McDonald had 20 points for Arizona, which beat Oregon State at home for the first time in a decade and is now 10-2 overall on the season.
Overall, the Wildcats hadn’t been shooting well from long distance this season. They ended up shooting 53% against OSU on 10-of-19 shooting.
Aari McDonald hit four 3s of her own as she scored in double figures for the 78th straight game — which is every game she’s played in as a Wildcat. That streak is the longest active one in the nation. She finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
After falling behind 8-0 in the first 3ƒ minutes, the Wildcats took control They went on an 18-6 run to take a 20-17 lead after the first quarter, and Oregon State would get no closer.
UA’s lead was 40-26 by halftime.
OSU, in its first game back after a COVID-19 pause, hadn’t played a game since Dec. 19, made runs throughout the game but never could get closer than 13 in the second half.
Arizona held OSU to 37% shooting and forced 19 turnovers. They had 12 steals with Thomas, Cate Reese, Shaina Pellington and Ware each picking two.
The Arizona Wildcats cheer on Arizona Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo (13) as she hits the drum 10 times after their win over Oregon State at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., on January 17, 2021. Arizona won 67-51.
Arizona entered the game allowing only 57.2 points per game.
“As (Coach) Adia would say that’s just Arizona defense,” said Ware, who had three blocks. “Now that we’ve been working on it and it’s coming together as a team, I think that our defense and our pressure has just been amazing.
“That’s what has made these games so difficult for other teams is just our defense.”
Everyone was involved on offense. McDonald scored on a fast break and hit a 3 from the top of the key. In between, Reese picked her own steal and ran the floor and finished in traffic with four defenders. Pellington also got in the act with a steal and after a pass from Bendu Yeaney scored on the layup.
Rim shots
- Arizona’s defense held Oregon State to 35% shooting in the half. UA forced 10 turnovers and scored 20 points off them.
- Thomas started game No. 110 and moved into a tie for fourth on Arizona’s all-time starts list with Barnes and Lisa Griffith.
