The Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball squad showed resilience on Saturday night, turning a tentative beginning into a decisive 92-54 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay in their second and final exhibition game. Coach Becky Burke emphasized that the win is a stepping stone toward the upcoming season opener against Stanford.
Early struggles and a decisive halftime adjustment
Arizona stumbled out of the gate, trailing 9-9 with just under four minutes left in the opening quarter. Burke called a timeout, prompting a 9-2 run that closed the period. Guard Aliyahna “Puff” Morris admitted the first quarter offered few bright spots, noting the team’s lack of execution on both ends of the floor.
The Wildcats surrendered 17 points in the second quarter, eight of which came from the free‑throw line. Cal State Monterey Bay capitalized on a series of fouls, scoring seven of their nine second‑half points from the stripe. Despite the lapse, Arizona entered the locker room determined to improve.
Third‑quarter surge fuels dominant win
After halftime, the Wildcats emerged sharper and more physical. They outscored the Otters 28-10 in the third quarter, their best stretch of the game. Burke praised the team’s renewed effort, saying, “When another team is playing harder in your house, that’s never a good feeling. We told them to get their stuff together and show Arizona effort for the next 20 minutes.” The Wildcats responded, sending a clear message that they could rebound from early adversity.
Key performances
Four players reached double figures. Morris led with 15 points, adding a rebound, an assist, and two steals. Sumayah Sugapong contributed 13 points, two rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Jasleen Green posted 12 points, three rebounds, an assist, a steal, and two blocks. Makayla Presser‑Palmer recorded a double‑double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, plus an assist and three steals.
Technical foul incident
The game featured a technical foul against Arizona after a player was inadvertently struck in the head during a pump‑fake play. Burke explained the situation, noting that the referee did not see the contact. She later reviewed the footage and was advised that a flagrant‑2 review was possible, but she concluded the incident was not intentional and classified it as a common foul.
Looking ahead to Stanford
While the Wildcats celebrated the victory, Burke reminded fans that the primary focus is the upcoming matchup against Stanford. “A win is a win, but we know the level of competition we’ll face on Monday,” she said. The team will use the lessons learned from the exhibition to fine‑tune their defense, rebounding, and overall physicality.
Fans in attendance praised the effort and expressed optimism about the Wildcats’ prospects for the season. The exhibition provided a valuable gauge of the team’s depth and readiness as they prepare for conference play.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
