Wildcats roll in final scrimmage before weekend season opener

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior center Marte Alexander beats the Myjava Slovakia defense during yesterday afternoon's exhibition game at McKale Center. The UA women, who finished the preseason undefeated, open the regular season against UC-Santa Barbara on Sunday.

The win was the Wildcats' second after last Tuesday's 88-72 win over the Kilsyth Cobras from Australia.

Senior forward Adia Barnes again paced the 15th-ranked Wildcats, hitting for 30 points on 12 for 20 shooting.

"This was a good team," said Barnes after the game. "This is a great win. It gives us a chance to see where we are."

Barnes, who was left off the preseason All-America team, also contributed seven rebounds and three assists. She did not commit a turnover in 30 minutes.

Barnes' seven rebounds led the team, who out-rebounded Myjava 23-6 in the second half.

Post players Mikko Giordano and Marte Alexander were also effective, scoring 18 and 14 respectively.

Giordano started in place of Alexander because Alexander was only able to practice for a few days prior to the game after a spell with migraine headaches, head coach Joan Bonvicini said.

Bonvicini said Alexander will start at center when the Wildcats suit up for the first game that counts on Sunday at home against UC-Santa Barbara at 2 p.m.

Aside from the win, Bonvicini said she was happy with her team's improvement, especially against a team like Myjava.

"We're better than we were last week, but we we're still sloppy," she said. "We were really pleased we could beat them by that much."

The loss dropped Myjava's record to 4-4 on its 10-game swing through the West coast.

After starting 0-3, Myjava had won four straight, including wins at two Pacific 10 Conference schools - ASU and USC. Myjava lost to UCSB 78-62.

The Wildcats were again plagued by turnovers, committing 26 in the game, including five by Alexander in her first game action of the season.

Alexander admitted she felt a few butterflies, but said nerves had nothing to do with the turnovers.

"They were just stupid mistakes that shouldn't have been made," she said.

Still though, Alexander said it was nice to be out on the floor again. "I feel good. I was really excited to play."

Senior guard DeAngela Minter didn't score, but contributed seven assists and four steals.

Barnes said after the game that not making the preseason All-America team didn't bother her.

"I really don't care about that," she said, adding that it was one of her goals to make All-America after the season.

"It's easy to get caught up in it, but I don't want to."