Oregon State
Arizona
Women's Basketball Falls To Arizona, 83-73
February 03, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2001
TUCSON, Ariz. - University of Arizona held on to defeat Oregon State 83-73 in Saturday's women's basketball action despite a career-high tying 29 points by junior guard Felicia Ragland.
The Wildcats improve to 16-5 overall and 6-3 in the Pac-10 while Oregon State drops to 11-8 and 3-6 in conference play.
A pair of early fouls sent Ragland and Syesha Thomas to the bench just four minutes into the contest and Arizona's Reshea Bristol's third 3-point basket gave the Wildcats a 14-8 lead at the 15:22 mark.
The Beavers rallied back behind guards Michelle Estell, Nicole Funn and Leilani Estavan. Oregon State went on a 10-0 run to take an 18-14 lead with 12:33 remaining before the break. OSU out-scored UA 16-4 from the 15-minute mark to the 7-minute mark.
Ragland buried a 3-pointer with 5:36 left to give Oregon State its largest lead, 29-22 but the junior was called for her third personal foul on the ensuing possession and was forced to the sideline.
Arizona out-scored the Beavers 14-2 to run out the half and take a 34-31 lead into the locker room.
Bristol, UA's floor leader, played just eight minutes in the opening frame after picking up two fouls.
Both teams shot nearly identical in the half, with OSU hitting 14-of-32 field goals and the Wildcats connecting on 14-of-31 shots. Arizona scored 17 points off of turnovers compared to just six OSU points on Wildcat miscues.
Arizona extended their lead to 42-33 at the 17:13 mark of the second half, scoring eight-straight after Thomas hit a lay-up to open the half.
Both Oregon State and Arizona exchanged baskets over the next 12 minutes, making it impossible for the Beavers to close the gap below nine points.
Ragland, a legitimate All-America candidate, put on a shooting exhibition to keep the OSU in the game. The 5-9 guard scored 26 second half points and her back-to-back 3-point baskets completed a 14-4 Beaver run and pulled Oregon State within two points, 74-72 with 2:40 remaining.
Oregon State went cold from the floor after the comeback and Arizona rallied to score nine of the game's final 10 points to seal the victory.
"Our team gave an incredible effort tonight, especially in the first half," commented OSU assistant coach Tony Newnan. "We were able to penetrate, drive and fast break. We fought to the end but just couldn't come out on top."
Ragland was the lone OSU player to score in double figures, hitting 11-of-23 field goals, while Funn and Thomas added nine points each. Freshman post Brina Chaney matched her career-high with eight rebounds.
Four Wildcats reached double figures in scoring with LaKeisha Taylor's 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting leading the way. Pickney finished with a double-double on 19 points and 11 boards while Bristol also scored 19.
The victory was win No. 500 for Arizona head coach Joan Bonvicini.
The Beavers return to action next Thursday when they travel to Berkeley to face California, as the second half of the conference season unfolds. Oregon State is looking to avenge an early 79-72 loss to the Bears.
Game-time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
