Feb 6, 2003

Box Score| Quotes

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Dee-Dee Wheeler scored 25 points, and hit a key 3 to halt No. 20 Washington's momentum and lead Arizona to a 79-66 victory Thursday night.

The Huskies (17-4, 9-3 Pac-10) closed a 17-point second-half deficit to 51-45 with 13:01 left following a jumper by Loree Payne. But Arizona (15-6, 8-4) responded with a 3-pointer by Wheeler, a layup by Shawntinice Polk and a baseline jumper by Robin Roberson for a 58-45 edge.

Giuliana Mendiola led Washington with 22 points, and Payne added 21.

Arizona went ahead 66-53 by getting the ball inside on a pair of drives by Wheeler and layups by CoCoa Sanford and Krista Warren with just over eight minutes remaining to put the game away.

Polk and Warren added with 14 points apiece for Arizona, and Aimee Grzyb scored 11.

Washington fell behind 45-30 at halftime. The Huskies' troubles came early as Arizona was hot from the perimeter. The Wildcats' Grzyb made two of Arizona's four 3-pointers in a 15-2 run that gave it a 24-10 lead with 13:50 left.