Women hold off Kansas, overcome shooting woes

Barnes scored 17 points, including a pair of free throws with 5.7 seconds to go that sealed Arizona's 67-62 victory over Kansas in the Big 12-Pac 10 Challenge.

The Wildcats shot only 38 percent (23-61), but Barnes hit nine of 11 shots from the free-throw line, including 6-of-7 in the second half to stave off a late Kansas charge.

"Barnes had a great night," said Arizona coach Joan Bonvicini. "She just finds a way to help our team win."

Arizona (14-4) took a 31-19 halftime lead and extended that to 38-21 after two free throws by Barnes three minutes into the second half.

Kansas (13-5) went on a 17-4 run, including a 3-pointer by Suzi Raymant with 11:34 to go that trimmed the deficit to 42-38.

The Jayhawks stayed close the rest of the way. Another 3-pointer by Raymant and a free throw by Jaclyn Johnson pulled Kansas within 64-62 with 26 seconds left.

After a free throw by Arizona's Lisa Griffith, Kansas had a chance to tie the game on a 3-pointer from the top of the circle by Lynn Pride. The shot, however, was blocked by Marte Alexander with 10 seconds left.

Barnes then made her clutch free throws.

"We stepped our game up in the second half," said Kansas coach Marian Washington. "Hopefully we can find a way to do a better job in the first half ... We just don't have that seasoned player out there, but we were in position to have a shot at pulling the game out."

Alexander finished with 13 points and 6 rebounds to go with three blocks, while Griffith added 10 points for the Wildcats.

Raymant and Johnson each had 16 points and Pride 11 for Kansas.