By Seth Doria
Arizona Daily Wildcat
December 8, 1997

Wildcats gain some Insight

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior forward Adia Barnes (30) goes up for a layup in yesterday's victory over Nebraska in the Insight Women's Classic. Barnes, the tournament's MVP, also became Arizona's all time leading rebounder over the weekend with her 739 career rebounds breaking Dana Patterson's career 723 mark.

Through the first two games of the season, Arizona's Adia Barnes only averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, not exactly numbers that scream All-American.

But in this weekend's Insight Women's Classic at McKale Center, the All-America candidate averaged 22 points and 9.5 rebounds on her way to garnering tournament MVP honors after the 11th-ranked Wildcats won yesterday's championship game, 68-56, over 12th-ranked Nebraska in McKale Center.

Barnes' second rebound Friday against Northeastern made her Arizona's all-time leader, breaking Dana Patterson's career mark of 723.

The Wildcats (4-0) blew out Northeastern (3-4), 96-49, behind a ferocious defense that came one steal short of setting a team record for steals in a game.

UA had 25 steals in forcing Northeastern into 41 turnovers.

Arizona managed to get 12 players into the game against Northeastern, with all but one playing double-figure minutes.

Other than Barnes' 21 points and 11 rebounds, Marte Alexander scored 16 points on 80 percent shooting and DeAngela Minter scored 19 points and had 6 rebounds.

Minter's performance, especially her defense, sparked the Wildcats to an early 28-12 lead, and Arizona never looked back, opening a 55-28 margin by halftime.

Phoenix Mercury guard Michele Timms took in the game and said she was impressed with Minter's tenacious style of play.

"I tell you who there's a spot for (in the WNBA) is Minter. If this is a typical game for her, she's every coach's dream. I'd like to play alongside her."

Against Nebraska (8-2), who edged out Wichita State on Friday, 71-69, the Wildcats' Felicity Willis came in early in the first half, providing a defensive lift and a quick five points to give UA a 13-8 lead after having trailed 4-0.

Willis and Barnes combined to score Arizona's first 13 points of the game.

Throughout the game, whenever the Wildcats needed a lift, in came Willis to settle the team down or bring the crowd of 1,615 fans to life with a steal or clutch three-pointer.

"My role is coming off the bench and playing defense," she said, "you have to be able to play defense to score on offense."

Alexander said knowing that the bench was there to give the team a lift was a big part of the Wildcats' success.

"That's one of the best things to know," she said. "That's what were all about, we're a 'team' team."

Willis' performance was especially crucial considering the early struggles of last year's super freshman Lisa Griffith.

Griffith missed all seven of her field goal attempts (all of them three-pointers), as Nebraska coach Paul Sanderford oriented his defense to stop the quick-shooting guard.

UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said Griffith, who is only averaging around seven points per game, was trying too hard to get things going.

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior center Marte Alexander (42) blocks Nebraska forward Charlie Rogers (33) during UA's 68-56 win over the Cornhuskers yesterday at McKale Center. Alexander's four blocks in the game tied her career record.

"She's just pressing too much," she said, "she just needs to ease up."

Along with Barnes winning the MVP award, two Wildcats were named to the All-Tournament team selected by the media.

Alexander and Minter were joined by Tesha Tinsley, who averaged 14 points for Northeastern, LaTeesha Hill, who averaged 11 points for Wichita State, and Charlie Rogers, who led Nebraska with 21 points and 8 rebounds against Arizona.

"Charlie Rogers was the one who kept them in the game," Bonvicini said.

Bonvicini said the win, which should vault the Wildcats into the top 10 nationally, should serve as a wakeup call for Arizona.

"We won the game, but there are a lot of things we have to work on," she said.

One primary area of concern for the Wildcats is rebounding, after being out-rebounded 51-39 by Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers had as many offensive rebounds (17) as UA had total rebounds through the first half.

"That's a huge concern for me," Bonvicini said.

In the consolation game yesterday, Wichita State won its first game of the season, beating Northeastern, 66-49.

The Wildcats next game will be Wednesday against Texas A&M at McKale Center at 7 p.m.