Wildcats Lose at Colorado: First Road Defeat

Wildcats Fall to Colorado, Prepare for Texas Tech Challenge

Arizona women’s basketball faced a tough road test on Tuesday night, succumbing to a 75-56 defeat against Colorado at the CU Events Center. Despite a resilient second-half performance, the Wildcats were unable to overcome an early deficit, moving to a 9-4 record on the season.

Arizona opened its first road trip of the season facing a determined Colorado team. The Buffaloes established a important lead early in the contest, holding Arizona scoreless for extended periods during the opening quarter and building a 32-18 advantage by halftime.

Though, the Wildcats demonstrated considerable fight after the break. They posted their most efficient offensive stretch in the third quarter, fueled by aggressive defense and capitalizing on turnovers.Arizona forced an remarkable 21 Colorado turnovers, converting those opportunities into points in transition. The team also showcased strong shooting, connecting on 53.8 percent of their field goal attempts during the third period.

Did you know? – Arizona’s nine wins this season represent a strong start to their campaign, though Tuesday’s loss marked their first defeat in conference play. The team aims to rebound quickly against a challenging schedule.

Mickayla Perdue spearheaded the Arizona offense with a game-high 22 points, highlighted by five accomplished three-pointers. Noelani Cornfield contributed 13 points, extending her streak of double-figure scoring performances to six consecutive games. Tanyuel Welch added 12 points and a team-leading eight rebounds, marking her fourth straight game reaching double figures in the scoring column.

Despite the improved offensive output and defensive pressure, Colorado maintained control of the game.The Buffaloes’ balanced scoring and a near-perfect 19-of-25 performance at the free-throw line proved decisive. Colorado’s consistent production in the paint also played a key role in building and maintaining their lead.

Pro tip – Effective rebounding is crucial for controlling the game’s tempo. Arizona’s eight rebounds from Tanyuel Welch were a positive, but matching Colorado’s paint presence will be key in future contests.

Looking ahead, Arizona will continue conference play on Saturday, January 3, 2025, with a challenging matchup against No. 21 Texas Tech. The game is scheduled for 5:00 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and 1400 AM radio.

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The Wildcats will aim to translate their second-half momentum from the Colorado game into a strong performance against a highly-ranked Texas Tech team.

Reader question – What adjustments do you think the Wildcats need to make to consistently overcome early deficits in conference play? Share yoru thoughts!