CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman center Shawntinice Polk attempts a shot while teammate Robin Roberson looks on. Polk set a new UA record with her 16th double-double of the season in the ĪCats victory Saturday.

It's hard to imagine how a victory over a winless team late in the season could be considered a "big win."

However, Arizona's 80-50 win over Washington State (0-21) on Saturday was huge.

With Arizona's victory, along with Washington's loss to Arizona State on Saturday, the Wildcats moved into a tie for second place in the Pacific-10 Conference standings with the Huskies.

"We don't like for ASU to win, but this time it was good for us," said freshman center Shawntinice Polk.

Polk led the way for the Wildcats with her record-setting 16th double-double of the season.

"(Polk) is a special player and I'm very happy she is here at Arizona because I wouldn't want to play against her," said UA head coach Joan Bonvicini.

Polk put in a game-high 28 points, 12 rebounds and even impressed the governor of the state.

"She was awesome," said Governor Janet Napolitano. "She is only a freshman and she will be an incredible player."

Napolitano was a guest head coach for the UA. She was able to sit on the bench, be involved in pre-game and post-game meetings, and she even called a play.

The Wildcats started the game a bit sluggish and struggled to build a sizable lead against the winless Cougars, but used a 12-3 run to end the first half and took a 40-24 lead into the locker room. UA continued its streak against Washington State with a 13-2 run in first four minutes of the second half, building its lead to 53-26.

Shawntinice Polk · Player of the game: Shawntinice Polk was one point away from her career high with 28 and added 12 rebounds, five blocks and three steals. · Play of the game: With six minutes to go in the first half and UA leading 30-21, sophomore guard Dee-Dee Wheeler missed a 3-point shot. The Wildcats followed with three offensive rebounds in the position, which ended in a lay-up by freshman forward CoCoa Sanford. · Stat of the game: UA out-rebounded the Cougars 45-26, including a 10-rebound edge on the offensive glass (19-9). The Wildcats had more offensive boards (19) than the Cougars had defensive rebounds (17).

"Our intensity was much better in the second half and we were able to make a good run," said Bonvicini.

"In the first half, we were just out there going through the motions," said senior forward Krista Warren. "At halftime, coach told us we needed to pick it up, so we definitely had to step up."

Warren was also a big key for Arizona. Along with Polk, Warren dominated the low post for the Wildcats, adding 16 points and eight rebounds.

"Krista had some nice jumpers, some nice low post moves and she was able to go out and run a little too," said Bonvicini.

The low spot for the Wildcats was their outside shooting. UA was one for 17 from behind the 3-point line, but still shot over 48 percent from the field.

Arizona will continue Pac-10 play next Friday when it travels to Westwood to take on the third-place UCLA Bruins. The Wildcats have struggled this season on the road, and everyone knows the importance of their upcoming games.

"As we travel back on the road, our objective is for a sweep," said Bonvicini. "We control our own destiny and we need to win some more games."