TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona women’s basketball team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 53-46 win over Cal State Northridge on Saturday at McKale Center.
Senior Davellyn Whyte led all players with 16 points and added seven rebounds and four assists. Junior Alli Gloyd finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Wildcats struggled at times offensively but forced 25 turnovers, with seven players recording at least one steal. Sophomore Layana White led the team with three.
UA also dominated the glass, grabbing 55 rebounds to Cal State Northridge’s 37. In addition, the Wildcats allowed the Matadors only five offensive rebounds, which accounted for only five points. Arizona senior Cheshi Poston led all players with nine boards.
“Today was perfect for us because we have been preaching defense,” UA head coach Niya Butts said. “We have been preaching rebounding, and we did that. Had we not done that, we would have not have won this game. They are starting to understand that we can have that every game. The offense may come and go, but every game we can have that defensive pressure.”
In the first half, Arizona forced 18 turnovers, turning them into 11 points. Gloyd led all players with nine points, while every player but one recorded at least one steal.
Whyte came alive in the second half, scoring 10 of her 16 points, including a 4-for-4 effort from the free-throw line in the last two minutes. As a team, Arizona was able to seal the win by going 7 for 10 from the stripe in the last five minutes.
Three players scored in double figures for CSUN, including Ashlee Guay with 13, Randi Friess with 12 and Marta Masoni with 10.
