Nov. 27, 2010

Complete Stats in PDF Format

CANCUN, Mexico - The University of Arizona Wildcat women's basketball team advanced to 5-1 on the season with an 82-59 win over the Bradley Braves on Saturday at the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic. The Braves fell to 3-3 on the season and Saturday's win marks the second over a Missouri Valley Conference team for the `Cats this season.

"We played a much better second half tonight than we did last night," head coach Niya Butts said. "We also took care of the ball a lot better and cut down on our turnovers. We had some key performances tonight from Ify Ibekwe, Soana Lucet and a quiet double-double from Erica Barnes. Overall, I think we had a great tournament. There's still work to be down but we made some solid improvements."

Senior Ify Ibekwe led the Wildcats in scoring with 21 points and eight rebounds. Ibekwe was one of four Wildcats to score in double digits: senior Soana Lucet (19), freshman Erica Barnes (12) and sophomore Davellyn Whyte (12).

Barnes recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds in addition to her 12 points. She led the Wildcats at the glass and was six-of-seven from the field. Whyte grabbed four steals and junior Shanita Arnold dished out six assists while scoring eight points. Of the nine Wildcats who logged playing time against Bradley, nine scored points and five grabbed boards.

For the sixth-straight game, Arnold, Ibekwe, junior Brooke Jackson, Lucet and Whyte made the start for the Wildcats. Freshman Candice Warthen racked up the most minutes off the bench with 19.

The Wildcats will play next when they travel to Reno, Nev. to face the Wolfpack on Dec. 2.