The Arizona women’s basketball team secured its second and final exhibition victory of the preseason, defeating Cal State Monterey Bay 92-54 on Saturday. Despite the lopsided final score, the Wildcats did not start with their desired intensity, finding themselves tied 9-9 with under four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Head coach Becky Burke called a timeout to reset the tone, a move that sparked a 9-2 run to close out the opening period. While the result was comfortable, the performance highlighted areas for improvement as the team prepares for its highly anticipated season opener against Stanford.
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Burke was candid in her post-game assessment, emphasizing that athletic superiority alone will not suffice against top-tier competition. “We didn’t really execute well today,” Burke stated. “We didn’t defend well. We weren’t physical.” She specifically critiqued the team’s rebounding habits, noting that players were “out jumping people” rather than executing proper box-outs. The coach made it clear that these fundamental lapses must be corrected immediately, warning that such habits “aren’t going to cut it against an opponent of that caliber” like the Stanford Cardinal.
The exhibition served as a crucial diagnostic tool for the Wildcats, revealing both offensive firepower and defensive vulnerabilities. Although the crowd was enthusiastic and the win boosted morale, the coaching staff remains focused on refining their defensive identity. With the season opener looming, Arizona must translate this exhibition experience into disciplined, physical play. The team’s ability to adjust quickly after a sluggish start is a positive sign, but Burke insists that consistency and technical execution are now the primary priorities as the Wildcats look to make a strong statement in the Pac-12.
Source: Yahoo Sports
