Photos: Arizona can't quite claw back against UCF, fall 58-55, Big 12 basketball
The Wildcats fell behind by three in the first quarter, a deficit they couldn't ever erase in 58-53 loss to the Knights, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
UCF guard Summer Yancy (13) denies Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) an inbound pass under the bucket in the last second of the third quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Blessing Adebanjo (14) expresses her disbelief of being charged with a foul as teammate Noelani Cornfield (4) levers her off the floor during the third quarter of their Big 12 game against UCF, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) denies UCF center Khyala Ngodu (35) an inlet pass during their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) attempts to force her way past UCF guard Jacorriah Bracey (3) and into the lane during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) just misses a block on UCF guard Leah Harmon (42) during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona coach Becky Burke questions a non-call on an inbounds pass to end the third quarter against UCF, Jan. 10, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona head coach Becky Burke talks with forward Daniah Trammell (33) during a stoppage in the game against UCF, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) doesn’t have quite the reach to snare the rebound from UCF center Khyala Ngodu (35) during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, Jan. 10, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) gets denied on her run and scoop attempt by UCF guard Summer Yancy (13), left, and center Khyala Ngodu (35) during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) picks up a foul trying to keep UCF guard Jacorriah Bracey (3) from the ball during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Blessing Adebanjo (14) manages to just tip the ball out of the hands of UCF guard Leah Harmon (42) and get herself a steal during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Mickayla Perdue (0), right, sporting a brace on her wrist, talks with guard Mireia Jurado (8) just before the start of the third quarter of the game against UCF, Jan. 10, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) win the scramble for a loose ball to set up a Wildcat basket in the first quarter against UCF, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) absorbs the impact to get off a shot despite the foul from UCF guard Kristol Ayson (2) during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, Jan. 10, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) gets sandwiched trying to drag down a rebound between UCF guard Samari Bankhead (1), left, and UCF center Savannah Scott (30) during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, Jan. 10, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) slams into UCF guard Kristol Ayson (2) trying to defend a pass during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) comes out to pressure UCF center Mahogany Chandler-Roberts (33) at the top of the key during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Kamryn Kitchen (1), left, and guard Molly Ladwig (5) shout out some moral suppot during a Wildcat offensive possession against UCF in the fourth quarter, Jan. 10, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Kamryn Kitchen (1) puts up a long range jumper in the second quarter of the game against UCF, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) fires up a shot in a lane crowded with UCF defenders during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
UCF guard Jacorriah Bracey (3), bottom, has to fend off Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) to keep possession during a scramble in the second quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) has just enough reach to reject the inlet pass to UCF center Savannah Scott (30) under the basket during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Mireia Jurado (8) drives the baseline against the pressure from UCF center Mahogany Chandler-Roberts (33) early during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4), left, and forward Nora Francois (13) team up to strip UCF guard Leah Harmon (42) and trigger a fast break the other way during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) gets loose during the team’s group stretching session while preparing to tip off against UCF, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Kamryn Kitchen (1) has a laugh with guard Mickayla Perdue (0), in sweats, before their game with UCF, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) does a little dribbling from the front row seats as the Wildcats prepare to face UCF in a Big 12 game, January 10, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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