Arizona trails by 11 early, pulls away late, paced by Walton's near triple double

LOS ANGELES ÷ Hassan Adams watched from the bench as Southern California jumped out to an early 9-0 lead against Arizona.

Once the freshman got his chance in front of his hometown crowd, he made the most of it, sparking No. 2 Arizona's comeback.

Adams, along with freshman Andre Iguodala, was the difference in the Wildcats' (12-1,5-0) 81-72 victory in the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena last night. [Read article]

For the first 20 minutes it was the Desmon Farmer show.

The junior from Flint, Mich., hit nearly every shot he took. Farmer netted 20 of USC's 48 points in the first half on 8-of-13 shooting and gave USC a quick 11-point lead.

But once again, in came "the stopper" also known as UA freshman Andre Iguodala.

For the second straight game, Iguodala came in and made the difference off the bench on the defensive end, helping Arizona to its 81-72 victory last night. Last game it was covering Washington's Doug Wrenn, last night it was Farmer. [Read article]

It was eerie how similar the two games were.

Less than five days ago, Arizona dropped a 60-59 decision to Washington after failing to close out the game with free throws. The Huskies eventually capitalized and made a basket inside the closing minutes to upset the Wildcats.

The Wildcats (11-4, 5-2) held on this time to beat Troy (6-11, 1-5), 79-76, last night at McKale Center in front of 2,395 people. The main problem once again came with missed free throws late in the game. [Read article]

The Arizona Icecats are used to winning and are always ready to add another victory to their total. That goes without saying.

But when the No. 7 ranked unit faces off with No. 20 Robert Morris College (Ill.) tonight, the desire to bring home a victory in this game öö more than almost any other öö will come out in full force, as the team has a chance to be a part of history.

Twenty-four seasons. Six hundred and sixty-two games. One team. One coach. One incredible milestone. [Read article]

The UA women's soccer program filled its assistant coach void with the hiring of Yvette Valdez, head coach Cathy Klein announced yesterday.

"We are excited and fortunate to have someone with Yvette's qualifications join our staff," said Klein. "She brings plenty of experience to our program, she's a great recruiter, she's highly organized, and she's a great player."

Valdez has been an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., for the last seven years. During her tenure, the Tigers went 78-48-10 record, including a 10-8-2 mark and a tie for seventh in the Big West Conference during the 2002 season. [Read article]

Unlike other athletic rankings, collegiate gymnastic rankings are not based on wins and losses, but rather by meet scores.

So when it comes down to it, winning doesn't mean anything.

"But it's still in the back of our minds," said the team's lone senior, Nikki Beyschau.

After last season's loss to a lower-ranked Oregon State team, the Gymcats (1-0, 0-0) are looking for a little revenge tonight at home in their conference opener in McKale Center at 7:30. [Read article]

The UA track and field squads look to get their season off to a running start this weekend, as both the men's and women's teams compete in their first two meets.

First up for the Wildcats is the North West Pole Vault Summit, today in Reno, Nevada. UA will send two to three athletes from both the men's and women's teams to the competition. The competition is open to squads from collegiate ranks, masters and high schools as well as beginning levels. [Read article]

The Arizona women's tennis team hopes to continue its stellar play this weekend at the Pacific 10 Conference Indoor Championships, after posting a successful fall season under head coach Vicky Maes.

This weekend's championship marks the last individual tournament before the team season begins next weekend against Marquette.

With the team season just a week away, Maes said she is looking to see where the Wildcats are at physically heading into the opener. [Read article]