TUCSON, Ariz. -- Seniors Kama Griffitts and Erica Barnes scored 16 and 15 points, but Wake Forest defeated Arizona women’s basketball, 70-58 on Tuesday at McKale Center.
Barnes was 9-of-10 from the free throw line, contributing to a team season-best 18 made free throws.
Freshmen LaBrittney Jones and Ashley Merrill led the Wildcats in rebounding with eight and six, respectively. Jones also had a career-high three blocks.
The Demon Deacons led by a narrow margin most of the game, but went on a 12-0 run to take a 52-39 lead in the second half. The Wildcats came within six points at the 5:22 mark, but could not completely close the gap.
The crowd of 4,487 consisted of over 3,000 elementary and middle school
students from around Tucson for Arizona’s annual field trip day.
"We
had a great crowd," Arizona coach Niya Butts said. "Those guys up in
the seats, I want to thank them, the teachers, the schools and our
marketing department did a great job on putting together a great home
atmosphere. We just didn't have enough to get the win today, it was
disappointing."
Dearica Hamby led Wake Forest with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
"We can't hold our heads down," Barnes said. "We have to keep pushing. We have to really stay together and execute our offense and know what we are doing on defense and communicate. I think once we get that together we will be fine."
The Wildcats will hit the road again to Provo, Utah to take on BYU on Saturday at 2 p.m.
