Seniors go out in style over UCLA

DeAngela Minter, Adia Barnes, Marte Alexander, Mikko Giordano and Amber Phoenix all played their last Pacific 10 Conference game, but that wasn't the reason the crowd was on its feet for most of the game.

The game, which UA won 84-73, was what kept on them on their feet, though reasons varied throughout the contest.

Through the first half, the crowd stood, cheering wildly as Barnes posted a double-double in the first 16 minutes.

The always-emotional Reshea Bristol, a redshirt freshman, came hot off the bench to score nine first half points in 10 minutes. She impressed the crowd even more, however, with tough defense that led to three steals.

And in a continuation of Thursday's 18 for 21 performance from the free-throw line, the Wildcats nailed 18 of 19 from the line in the first half on Saturday.

And as the crowd stood, applauding as the teams left the court at halftime, the Wildcats enjoyed a comfortable 52-31 lead.

And then came the second half - often a nemesis for the Wildcats.

"We were playing not to lose," UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said after the win. "It was getting hairy."

UCLA sophomore center Maylana Martin, who was held to eight points through the first half, came alive in the second, finishing with 24 points.

The Bruins outrebounded the Wildcats by 15 in the second half, largely thanks to UCLA center Janae Hubbard, who recorded 16 points and 17 rebounds.

Barnes, who finished the first half with 18 points and 12 rebounds, scored only six points and grabbed just one rebound in the final 20 minutes as the Bruins cut a 56-33 lead down to a five with under three minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats' free throw shooting fell apart too, as Arizona could only hit 6 of 16 through the final 5:20.

But as the crowd stood through the final 15 minutes hoping Arizona wouldn't blow it, the Wildcat defense, led by Minter, clamped down. UCLA only hit one field goal through the last two minutes.

"I was happy to see DeAngela play well," Bonvicini said. "This was a big win."

"We just tried to get it together so the clock could run out," Alexander said.

She pointing out that although Saturday was Senior Day, the Wildcats' season isn't finished quite yet.

"I'm not saying any goodbyes," she said. "It's not over."