TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona women's basketball saw its season come to an end in the opening round of the inaugural WBIT, falling 71-69 to Northern Arizona on Thursday night at McKale Center. The game was a battle from start to finish, featuring eight ties and seven lead changes, but the Wildcats were unable to get a shot off on their final possession.
Skylar Jones led Arizona with 21 points and nine rebounds, while freshman Breya Cunningham recorded her third double-double of the season with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high five blocks. Lauryn Swann joined them in double figures with 13 points, including three three-pointers, and added five rebounds in the start.
Arizona led 36-31 at halftime, thanks in part to a fast start and a 60% shooting effort in the first quarter. The Lumberjacks surged ahead in the third with a 25-point frame, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and turnovers to take a two-point lead into the fourth.
The Wildcats reclaimed a narrow lead early in the final period and the game remained a one-possession affair down the stretch. After tying the game at 69 on free throws by Isis Beh with 1:44 to play, NAU's Sophie Glancey hit the go-ahead bucket with 1:09 remaining. Arizona forced a turnover with under 30 seconds to go but couldn't convert, ending its 2024-25 campaign with a 19-14 record.
NOTABLES
- Skylar Jones led all scorers with 21 points and added nine rebounds in 35 minutes.
- Breya Cunningham recorded her third double-double of the year with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-best five blocks.
- Lauryn Swann finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
- Isis Beh contributed across the board with six points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals.
- Arizona shot 82.4% (14-17) from the free throw line, its third-highest percentage this season.
- The Wildcats matched NAU with 40 points in the paint but were outscored 20-17 on second-chance opportunities.
- Attendance was 2,706 in McKale Center.
