The Arizona women's basketball team used tenacious defense and hot shooting to take a big lead into the second half before holding off a rally from 15th-ranked Oregon State and securing the win.

The Wildcats' 72-58 victory last night in front of 1,505 at McKale Center broke the Beavers' two game win streak over Arizona. The win proved not only that the Wildcats (13-2 overall, 4-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference) could defeat a highly ranked opponent, but that they could rebound from their 89-85 overtime loss to UCLA on Saturday.

"We learned the other day that when things go bad they go real bad," Arizona head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "I think a win like this is a confidence booster to the team. It's going to send a message to every other team in this conference.

" Arizona's a good basketball team."

Arizona got out of the gates early, scoring 17 points in under three minutes to take a 17-7 lead over Oregon State (11-4, 3-3). Arizona senior point guard Brenda Pantoja hit three straight 3-pointers in the first half and shooting guard DeAngela Minter sliced through the Beaver defense early as she put in 10 points at the half. Pantoja finished with 12 points and Minter ended the game with a career-high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.

"I used my strengths to my advantage," Minter said. "The coaches have been giving me a little more room and I've been driving to the basket more."

The Wildcats held Oregon State to 19 points in the first half with a combination of stifling defense and good work on the boards. Arizona took a 23-12 rebounding advantage into halftime and continually collapsed on national player of the year candidate Tanja Kostic all night, holding the senior forward to 11 points - 14 below her average and the fewest she has scored all season. Forward Anette Mollerstrom led the Beavers with 20 points.

"We're just not playing well right now," Mollerstrom said. "I don't know what is wrong with us."

Arizona held a 42-19 lead at the half and extended it to 56-28 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game. The Beavers then installed the same type of full-court press UCLA used on Saturday to demolish Arizona's 17-point lead in less then three minutes.

The press proved effective again as Oregon State caused numerous turnovers and converted shots on the other end. The Beavers caused 19 Wildcat turnovers and took 36 shots in the second half, compared to only 19 for Arizona. With four minutes remaining in the game the Beavers had cut the UA's lead to 62-50.

Yet unlike the UCLA game, the Wildcats attacked the press and made their free throws down the stretch. The three-guard lineup of Pantoja, Minter and freshman Monika Crank broke the press and controlled the ball when the game was on the line.

"That game (UCLA) is going to continue to give teams hope all season," Oregon State head coach Judy Spoelstra said. "But Arizona is definitely a quality team. I think they are in the top three or four teams in conference."