It was another undisciplined effort for Arizona (4-0) who again had more turnovers with 21 than assists with 14 which is where UA doesn't want to be.
Still, the Cats made more plays late in the game when it mattered the most earning the biggest victory of the young season winning 75-66 over UNLV (2-1) to remain undefeated at home.
Truly a game Arizona should've lost as it entered the fourth quarter with 20 turnovers to just 16 field goals, but a key that moved things over the hump was the increased production from deep.
“We are turning the ball over way too much,” Barnes said. “We need to be at 20 assists and like, this team probably like 13 turnovers. That’s way too many. We won’t win that many games in the Big 12 if we don’t correct that.”
It was a season-high amount of three's made going 9-for-17 which was good for 51% made meaning that the minimal makes were for the most value.
“I’ll take this 3-point shooting percentage,” Barnes said. “I don’t know if we’re going to see that too often. We shot better from the three than the two.”
The catalyst for the comeback though? Freshman guard Lauryn Swann who was on a different planet Tuesday night.
Swann didn't play the entire first half yet scored a team, season and career-high 19 points all in the second half to thrust the Wildcats to a comeback win.
“Lauryn Swann was huge tonight,” head coach Adia Barnes said. “Did not play in the first half. As a freshman, she could’ve hung her head. Came out firing, doing what she does and just really proud of what she did.”
In 19 minutes, she was 8 of 9 from the field and was perfect from the 3-point line going 2-for-2 from deep.
The Wildcats outscored the Lady Rebels 29-16 in the final quarter and may have not pulled it off if not for an explosive Swann breakout performance.
After showing they can win up front in a physical battle, the Wildcats just proved they can incorporate a dynamite shooting element from their guards to win in multiple different ways.
Guard Jada Williams got out of her shooting skid seen early so far and knocked in 15 points with three 3-pointers, a perfect 4 of 4 at the free throw line and six rebounds and two assists to round out her best game of the year.
Forward Montaya Dew also played well as she works back from injury in her 24 minutes knocking down two 3-pointers with three assists.
“I’m really excited and proud of Montaya,” Barnes said. “She’s been through a lot. She never gave up and there’s been times she’s wanted to give up. She’s worked on her shot and so many things to get back.”
Not to say that the post didn't see some success either however, as Breya Cunningham is automatic through four games in 2024 nearly notching another double-double as she scored 12 points with nine rebounds and three steals.
Cunningham was forced out of the game late though as foul trouble struck the Cats again with 18 personal fouls being called on Arizona.
Both Isis Beh and Cunningham were called for four a piece and the team's very fortunate they were winning with players like Williams and Swann finding some fire.
If not for them and the script called for bigger and more physical players, things would've become tricky as to who comes in to fill those spots.
Still, Arizona found a way and avenged the 72-53 loss to UNLV in 2023 and continues to find depth throughout the roster.
Arizona will now get a mini four day break after the four-game, eight-day stretch it faced to start the season and leaves undefeated in. The Wildcats travel to Chicago St. (0-4) next, who was blown out 104-35 earlier today against Florida, for a 12 p.m. (MST) matchup on Saturday Nov. 16.
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