By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Prior to their Jan. 18 road trip to California, the Arizona women's basketball team had won seven straight games.
Since then, the Wildcats (14-5 overall, 4-3 Pacific 10 Conference) have lost three in a row, most recently falling to Arizona State last weekend, 67-57, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.
Arizona, no longer ranked in the top 25, hopes to snap out of their losing funk tonight, when No. 22 Oregon pays a visit to McKale Center.
"Normally when you lose, especially with a good team (like Arizona), the team pulls itself together because they don't like losing," said UA head coach Joan Bonvicini, who is seeking her 499th career victory. "We've had some very good practices (this week)."
Arizona freshman guard Candice Allen agreed.
"Practices have been great," she said. "They have been the best ever, in my opinion - everybody is talking and enthusiastic."
Arizona will most likely play without freshman forward Veranda James, who suffered a blow to the head last week in practice. James was averaging 13.7 points per game this season for Arizona. Bonvicini believes the absence of the dynamic freshman has contributed to the recent troubles of the team.
"It really set us back," Bonvicini said. "But the big thing right now is getting our confidence back. We've had a big talk, and what we've done is recommit - start from scratch. I feel we need to play harder, with more poise, and rebound better."
Although Bonvicini has much respect for the Ducks, she said she was paying more attention to the play of her Wildcats.
"Honestly, I know Oregon is a very good team, but I have been focusing on Arizona and everything we do," Bonvicini said.
Along with Bonvicini, Allen is focused on getting the team chemistry back on track.
"We just need to be strong and get back on track," Allen said. "We need to get our chemistry back again. That's all we need to do."
James agreed.
"I think we kind of lost it (chemistry)," James said. "If we win tomorrow, that will really help build the confidence of the team up again."
The Ducks, who have won eight of their last 10 games, have split games with Arizona in each of the last six seasons. Despite owning a 17-point lead at halftime in their last meeting against the Ducks, the Wildcats fell to Oregon 75-71.
Arizona will be lead by senior guard Reshea Bristol, who has been the most consistent Wildcat this season. Bristol is averaging 13.9 points, 6.9 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.
As for tonight's game plan, UA junior guard Tysell Bozeman said she has one thing in mind.
"We just have to play our 'A' game, and hopefully we will come out with a victory," she said.
