Nov. 22, 2003

Final Stats | Quotes

By John Moredich

TUCSON (AP)- All-America candidate Shawntinice Polk scored 25 points, including nine straight to open the second half, to pull No. 22 Arizona to an 89-67 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday.

Polk, who made 9 of 14 field goals before fouling out with 5:14 left in the game, increased Arizona's lead following the intermission to 59-43.

Dee-Dee Wheeler had two free throws and then a driving lay-in to give Arizona a 63-46 cushion. Wheeler finished with 19 points.

The Wildcats (1-0) also received 19 points apiece from CoCoa Sanford and Aimee Grzyb. Sanford's 19 was a new career high.

Northern Arizona (0-1) was led by the 26 points from Alyssa Wahl. Natalie Metz had 14 points, while Alexis Rhodes added 13.

The Wildcats built a 34-13 lead in the first half with the help of five straight three-pointers, four from Grzyb, with 8:58 remaining.

NAU closed the gap to six after a 24-9 run culminated with a three-pointer from Metz with 58 seconds left. Arizona spurted ahead for a 50-39 halftime lead with the final seven points, concluding action when Wheeler hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.