SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior forward Krista Warren looks to pass the ball around former Wildcat Liz Pickney during UA's win yesterday at McKale Center.

Polk, Wheeler combine for 38 points in 100-72 exhibition rout

Liz Pickney has played many games inside McKale Center, but never from the visitors' bench ÷ until yesterday.

The former UA forward played 23 minutes and scored two points to go along with five rebounds as her squad, Team Concept, fell to Arizona 100-72.

The blowout victory also marked the first time associate head coach Denise Dove Ianello was at the head seat on the UA bench.

Ianello, taking the place of head coach Joan Bonvicini, who was at home with her ill brother, said she was pleased with the team's performance.

"I haven't taken the time to evaluate my coaching as much as I have to evaluate the team," Ianello said. "The team came in focused and ready to play."

The need to be focused in the team's last exhibition was great, with No. 3 Louisiana State waiting on deck.

"We wanted to focus on Arizona and do what we needed to improve and become a better team for Friday," Ianello said.

There was no doubt as to the Wildcats' frame of mind from the start of the game.

It was to win, and win big.

Both teams struggled to score at the beginning, but the physical play was evident.

As soon as Arizona found the middle of the hoop, it was over.

Freshman center Shawntinice Polk scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to pace the Wildcats.

Polk dominated the paint as Arizona grossly outscored Team Concept inside the key. By the end of the first half, the Wildcats had 22 points from inside compared to Team Concept's two, contributing to the 51-30 halftime score.

Polk's double-double was followed up by a 17-point, 10-rebound performance by senior Krista Warren.

Warren said the team wanted to use its depth to outrun Team Concept.

"We knew we could run on the team and that's what we tried to do," Warren said. "We wanted to get our transition game going."

Sophomore guard Dee-Dee Wheeler reaped the benefits of the uptempo game, as she led all scorers with 22 points, many on layups or transition baskets.

"I think I had a great game," Wheeler said. "My shot was falling, and I was reading the lanes and getting steals for the fast break."

Wheeler led the Wildcats with four of the team's 14 steals.

With the preseason over, Arizona will look to its next game, a monumental match-up against LSU on Friday.

"I'm really nervous," Polk said of the game. "But with the girls I have around me, and with them always willing to help me if I need anything, I will be ready."

Game notes

The Arizona starters outscored Team Concept's starters 78-30 in the 28-point win ·

Every Wildcat played at least three minutes in the game ·

The 100-point effort from Arizona marked the fourth time an opponent hit the century mark against Team Concept. The three others were Kansas State (110), Colorado State (102) and Stanford (103). Kansas State and Stanford are currently ranked in the top 10 in the AP poll and Colorado State is in the top 20.