Women's hoops holds 'Fiesta' this weekend

The No. 24 Arizona women's basketball team (4-1) continues its three-game homestand as the Wildcats take on UNC-Greensboro (1-2) tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in McKale Center in the Mission Management and Trust Fiesta Classic. Action continues Sunday when Arizona will face Weber State or Delaware in the championship or consolation game at 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.

Arizona is coming off a 79-47 rout of UTEP Monday night in which the Wildcats recorded their 30th consecutive win at McKale Center. The team shot 47 percent from the floor and 57 percent from beyond the arc but connected on only 54 percent of its shots from the free throw line.

The Wildcats took advantage of 34 Miner turnovers and brought down 36 boards, compared to 33 by UTEP. For the first time this season, Arizona outscored its opponent in the second half as it recorded 35 points while holding UTEP to 30.

"Each game, we've moved up, especially in the second half," said junior center Shawntinice Polk. "I think that's going to be critical for our team when we get into the Pac-10 and other games we're going to be playing. They're scouting us as not being a second-half team."

Fiesta Classic Arizona vs. UNC Greensboro Tomorrow, 3:30 p.m. Radio: 1330 AM McKale Center

"There's a lot of areas we need to improve on, specifically in rebounding and dominating on the boards and getting to the free-throw line and make those shots," UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said.

The Wildcats continue to strive for their season goal of out-boarding their opponents by 10.

"Basically, we just have to work on is just boxing out from the one spot to the five spot," Polk said. "If we all do that and take care of what we need to take care of, then out-rebounding the opponent by 10 is not going to be a problem."

The Spartans began their season with a loss to West Virginia, before going on to defeat Winthrop. In its last contest on Nov. 27, UNCG fell to Pittsburgh, 55-62, at home. Sophomore guard Jasmine Byrd is 17-for-18 from the free-throw line this season while sophomore forward Irene Otamiri is

grabbing a team-high 4.3 rebounds per game.

"They're pretty good athletically," said Bonvicini. "They have good shooters but are not quite as tall as we are, but pretty quick. For us, we respect every opponent we play."

Free-throw shooting has been the focus of Arizona's recent practices according to junior guard Natalie Jones.

"All our drills are based on free throws, running for missed free throws," said Jones. "Every week we have free-throw charts due and you have to shoot 300 free throws in that week. It's something we have to get better at."

Jones dominated as she posted a game-high 17 points, four assists and three rebounds against UTEP. Jones was also a presence from downtown as she was 2-for-2 from 3-point range. Senior point guard Dee-Dee Wheeler added 16 points, five steals, three assists, two rebounds and one blocked shot in the win.

"It's just something that we have to be more disciplined, especially in our depth because we don't want teams scouting us as just drivers," said Jones of the team's 3-point shooting percentage. "It's something that all the guards have to work on. I don't see myself as being the 3-pointer shooter, but I can't be scared to shoot the shot when I'm open.

"I have (put pressure on myself) because our 3-point shooting percentage has been down," she added. "I basically just need to be more consistent and just be more confident in myself in being able to shoot the ball."

The Wildcats continue to be without the services of senior center Danielle Adefeso, who suffered a shoulder injury in the Wildcats Preseason Women's National Invitational Tournament loss to Ohio State.

"We're not sure yet (of Adefeso's return)," Bonvicini said. "She's doing well in rehabilitation and is progressing but is not ready yet."

Weber State and Delaware kick off the Fiesta Tournament's first round action at 1 p.m. tomorrow, immediately followed by Arizona's matchup with UNC Greensboro.