Women's basketball victorious over European exhibition opponent

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior guard Lisa Griffith (3) goes up for a lay-up against a member of the Slovan Bratislava team Friday night at McKale Center. Griffith scored 18 points in Arizona's 83-54 win over the Slovakian team.

Willis led all scorers with 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting in Arizona's 83-54 exhibition win over Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia Friday night at McKale Center. Willis also had seven rebounds. Griffith had 18 points, shooting 7 of 11.

"It's a lot easier for me when Felecity is out there," Griffith said. "I can relax just because Felecity can handle the ball so well, while I can get open and take a good shot."

Head coach Joan Bonvicini was pleased to see the two guards play well and combine their leadership abilities.

"It's nice to see Felecity and Lisa score," Bonvicini said. "I said this would be a much more balanced attack, and it will be."

Freshman starting center Elizabeth Pickney had 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds while junior transfer Angela Lackey had 10 points, providing strong front court play for Arizona.

"This game was mostly to see how we can play against other people," Lackey said. "Everyone's starting to gel."

Sophomore guard Reshea Bristol, coming off a knee sprain, had eight rebounds and five points. Junior transfer Tatum Brown had eight rebounds for Arizona.

"We rebounded well, played everybody and everybody scored, which I like," Bonvicini said. "We were very good at times, very impatient at times."

The exhibition provided a good chance for Arizona to see what it can do before the team plays in the Nebraska CableVision Classic next weekend.

"It's our first game, and I think we passed the test," Bonvicini said. "We'll get better right away."

One of the coaching staff's main concerns was the team's play on the defensive end, but the improvement was evident in the game.

"We need to have solid defense, and that will improve," Bonvicini said. "With this team, you could tell that they've played together and have experience at this level."

Willis agreed with the team's defensive play.

"We worked a lot on defense, and we did a great job of preparing for this team," she said. "We proved that we can score and put up big numbers, but we need to work on turnovers and holding the ball."

Bryan Rosenbaum can be reached via e-mail at Bryan.Rosenbaum@wildcat.arizona.edu.