Whether it was truly a defensive battle or just two teams that couldn’t shoot straight, Friday’s battle between the Arizona Wildcats and the Washington Huskies was a nail-biter at the beginning — and at the very end (but not so much in the middle).
In the first half, Arizona only managed to score 16 points.
The Wildcats shot just 30.8% from the field overall and were 0 for 5 from three-point range.
However, the Huskies’ shooting performance was even worse.
The Dawgs could only muster seven (7!) points in the first half, shooting 15% from the field overall; as well as, 0% from three-point range (0 for 5).
Washington also committed 15 turnovers in the first half.
UW trailed Arizona by nine points at half time,16-7, and did not threaten to close that gap until the fourth quarter.
4th Quarter Treys Fuel UW Comeback
With 7:15 to go in the fourth quarter, Arizona held a 15-point lead over the Huskies, but UW had an offensive surge marked by multiple three-pointers.
First, Haley Van Dyke hit a sidestep trey in front of the Huskies bench.
.@haleyvandykee 3⃣❕
📺 Pac-12 Arizona
📲 https://t.co/qTxvdKkhBj pic.twitter.com/JNLd7kjmYo— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 19, 2022
Later, Lauren Schwartz also hit a deep corner trey in front of the bench — her first made field goal of the game (1 for 8).
.@lschwartz15 SPLASH
📺 Pac-12 Arizona
📲 https://t.co/qTxvdKkhBj pic.twitter.com/JtRmlaaD8T— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 19, 2022
Followed by a Nancy Mulkey catch-and-shoot triple from straightaway.
BIG 3 from @nancymulkey‼️
📺 Pac-12 Arizona
📲 https://t.co/qTxvdKkhBj pic.twitter.com/fFl9kcgtiK— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 19, 2022
Van Dyke hit a rolling Mulkey with an assist for a two-pointer.
It's an 8-0 run for the Huskies! 🐺
📺 Pac-12 Arizona
📱https://t.co/FXDZn0yCMl@UW_WBB | #GoHuskies | #Pac12WBB pic.twitter.com/w5rwvAGg8o— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) February 19, 2022
Wih 90 seconds to go, UW had cut Arizona’s lead to just four points.
However, Washington didn’t begin fouling to stop the clock and extend the game until 41 seconds were left to play.
Washington fouled Arizona guard Helena Pueyo but she made her free throws.
Then, Missy Peterson hit a deep corner three, from a nice assist by Jayda Noble, to cut the lead to four points again (46-42) with 36 seconds left.
📺 Pac-12 Arizona
📲 https://t.co/qTxvdKkhBj pic.twitter.com/OQRzojOouq— Washington Women’s Basketball (@UW_WBB) February 19, 2022
Even though Washington outscored Arizona in the fourth quarter, 24-20, UW never overcame it’s 9-point deficit at the half.
Arizona sealed the 51-42 victory with five free throws to close out the game, while the Huskies finished with their 22nd turnover and two missed layups.
Still No Huskies Bench
The Arizona Wildcats’ bench scored 21 points compared to a Washington bench that scored only 11 points.
Arizona Head Coach Adia Barnes played eight players 10 minutes or more.
Meanwhile, UW Coach Tina Langley only played six players 10 minutes or more.
Missy Peterson played 36 minutes and 30 seconds;
Haley Van Dyke played 34 minutes and 52 seconds;
Nancy Mulkey played 29 minutes and 23 seconds;
Lauren Schwartz played 27 minutes and 41 seconds; Jayda Noble played 27 minutes and 10 seconds; and
Trinity Oliver played 25 minutes and 11 seconds.
Curiously, two of the Huskies’ best defenders and most athletic players, i.e., T.T. Watkins (7 minutes) and Alexis Whitfield (six points in 9 minutes), each played less than 10 minutes against the athletic Wildcats.
It appears that once again the Huskies ran out of gas and time.
UP NEXT
The Washington Huskies (5-14 overall, 0-11 Pac-12) will continue their hunt for their first conference win at home against Arizona State on Saturday, February 20th at 12noon PST.