With key players Noelani Cornfield and Nora Francois sidelined, the University of Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball fell 77-61 to Cincinnati, in their first road game against the Bearcats.
Head Coach Becky Burke said benching the players was a coach’s decision. Cornfield averages 13.2 points and seven assists a game while Francois puts up an average of 6.4 points per game.
Burke did not confirm if either player will return for Saturday’s home game against rival Arizona State, stating she would reevaluate when they get back to Tucson.
With only eight active players available in Cincinnati, Arizona ran into foul trouble early, a pattern that snowballed into issues in the paint and multiple turnovers throughout the game.
Arizona has struggled with foul trouble all season but on Tuesday, the troubles were already compounding midway into the first quarter. With four minutes left, the Wildcats had already put Cincinnati in the bonus shooting free throws.
“It’s a them problem at this point, and I’m gonna keep trying to coach them through and keep helping out, but I mean it’s just undisciplined,” Burke said during her post-game press conference. “It’s not acceptable and it’s gonna keep happening if they don’t fix it.”
Cincinnati’s offense did not make Arizona’s life any easier with five players scoring in double digits. The Bearcats were led by Reagan Jackson with 19 points, Mya Perry scored 17 including shooting 5-10 beyond the arc while Ramiyah Byrd scored a career high double double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Photo by Arizona Women’s Basketball
The Wildcats seemingly found a bright spot in the second half, outscoring Cincinnati by two in the third quarter and five in the fourth.
Sumayah Sugapong was a heavy offensive contributor leading with a game total of 20 points while Daniah Trammell, returning to her hometown of Cincinnati for the first time since becoming a Wildcat, scored 12 points. Tanyuel Welch had 9 points and Achol Magot made a couple good blocks and drew fouls in the paint.
“If she (Sugapong) wasn’t out there tonight, we would be in major trouble,” said Burke. “I thought she handled the adversity well, stepped up to the plate, did what we’ve asked her to do, and she’s trying to do a lot by herself right now, which is not sustainable.”
Photo by Arizona Women’s Basketball
The Wildcats found themselves back against the wall in the fourth quarter, when Blessing Adebanjo and Sugapong each received their fourth personal fouls, and Trammell fouled out with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Cincinnati shot 33% from the three and capitalized on Wildcat fouls, shooting 80% from the free throw line. The win over Arizona ended Cincinnati’s three-game losing streak, bringing their record to 9-16 ultimately giving them the advantage over Arizona and beating them 77-61 to end their three game loss streak.
Looking ahead to their home game this week, Burke said the Wildcats will need to improve their toughness, rebounding and ability to run offense.
“It all just goes back to the discipline, IQ and ability to execute,” Burke said. “I’m gonna keep teaching, keep coaching, keep trying to push them and get them through.”
Arizona will play rival Arizona State University at noon Saturday at McKale Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN College Gameday.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
