The Arizona women's basketball appeared headed for a blowout loss in the early going of last night's contest with UCLA in McKale Center.
That was before the backcourt trio of junior Natalie Jones, senior Dee-Dee Wheeler and freshman Ashley Whisonant came to life and put an end to Arizona's three-game losing skid, beating the Bruins 76-73 and completing its first conference sweep of the season.
"We just played our game," Whisonant said following her 14-point, three-assist performance.
The Wildcats took 10 minutes before they eased into their game.
Arizona went six minutes before scoring a field goal and fell behind 16-2.
UCLA, led by guards Nikki Blue and Lisa Willis, set the tone early forcing six Arizona turnovers and holding the Wildcats to 0-of-9 shooting.
Whisonant broke the drought at the 14-minute mark with a short jumper and followed quickly with a second score.
Jones said Whisonant's spark off the bench was the difference between the win and another loss.
"The key was intensity. Ashley had a lot to do with that," she said. "We were just going through the motions off the tip."
Arizona head coach Joan Bonvicini said she was happy with Whisonant's showing off the bench, but she wasn't surprised.
"Ashley's a great player," she said. "She has a tremendous feel for the game."
Whisonant struck again later in the half.
Arizona chipped away at the UCLA lead over 12 minutes, cutting the deficit to 20-25, when Whisonant snapped a one-handed bounce pass to an open Wheeler for a lay-in.
Moments later, Whisonant hooked up with Wheeler off another bounce pass, this time for a 3-pointer to tie it at 25.
The Wildcat run continued, and Arizona went into the locker room leading by four.
"Coming back to take the lead by halftime was a huge accomplishment," Bonvicini said.
Jones, Wheeler and Whisonant took over the second half, exchanging scores with UCLA's Willis, Blue and Amanda Livingston.
Jones exploded in the second, scoring 21 of her game-high 25 in that frame.
"Coach B. challenged me," she said. "(The coaching staff) said I need to be an offensive threat."
Jones was that threat the coaching staff called for, connecting on 4-of-6 3-pointers, 5-of-6 from the free-throw line and hauling down four rebounds, one of which was a game-saver with four seconds left and Arizona ahead a point.
It was a solid outing for a player who suffered from tendonitis during the pre-game shoot-around.
Jones was among several Wildcats playing through injury.
Sophomore forward Shannon Hobson scored five points in 22 minutes coming off a knee injury.
Junior center Shawntinice Polk played 24 minutes despite a hampered knee, yet she was held to two points on 0-of-4 shooting from the field and three rebounds.
Senior Danielle Adefeso filled the void in the post with a game-high nine rebounds and eight points.
Wheeler and Bonvicini said Adefeso's play was integral to the win.
Arizona looks to build upon the win tomorrow when Southern California comes to McKale.
The Trojans fell to ASU in Tempe last night 49-45, opening a door in the Pacific 10 Conference race for the Wildcats.
"We control our own destiny now," Bonvicini said.