Photos: After slow start, Wildcats rally to beat USC on Senior Day
The 12th-ranked Arizona Wildcats snapped their two-game losing skid and ended the regular season on a high note, beating USC 68-59 on Saturday afternoon in McKale Center.
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Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) and Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) let out screams as Arizona catches up to USC in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) eyes the basket over USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo (34) and USC Trojans guard Desiree Caldwell (24) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) makes a drive towards the basket as USC Trojans guard Rayah Marshall (13) and USC Trojans guard Desiree Caldwell (24) defend in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) is defended by Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) and Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) follows USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats guard Shaina Pellington (1) eyes the basket as USC Trojans guard Rayah Marshall (13) and USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) defend in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
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Arizona forward Sam Thomas blocks the shot of USC forward Jordan Sanders during Saturday's first half. The UA senior is Pac-12 Hotline analyst Jeff Metcalfe's choice for Pac-12 defensive player of the year.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) releases the ball as USC Trojans guard Rayah Marshall (13) defends in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) eyes the basket as USC Trojans guard Kyra White (22) defends in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) gets pumped after hitting a three-pointer in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) eyes the basket as she's surrounded by USC defenders in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) is defended by USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo (34) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats guard Taylor Chavez (3) eyes the basket for her first three-pointer of the game in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes talks to her team in a huddle in the first half during a game against USC at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
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Arizona Wildcats forward Koi Love (5) gets a handful from USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Salvo Coppa, assistant coach, talks to Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Arizona fell to No. 20 nationally in the latest AP poll, but is still projected by ESPN to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament next week.
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USC Trojans guard Desiree Caldwell (24) defends Arizona Wildcats guard Taylor Chavez (3) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats guard Madison Conner (4) and Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) embrace as Thomas leaves the court for the last time in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Arizona Wildcats guard Taylor Chavez (3) hits the drum after the team's win against USC at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Sharpshooter Madison Conner (4) returns as part of a revamped Wildcats roster.
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Arizona Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) becomes emotional as the Senior Day festivities begin at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won beat USC 68-59.
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Arizona Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) annouces to the crowd that she will return next season to play basketball at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes escorts Arizona Wildcats forward Ariyah Copeland (22) and her dog, Drew, onto center court as part of Senior Day at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes poses for a photo with Arizona Wildcats center Semaj Smith (34) and her neice as part of Senior Day festivities at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) is escorted by her parents, Derek and Julie, onto center court as part of the Senior Day festivities at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) waves to the crowd after receiving her jersey in a frame as part of the Senior Day festivities at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona won 68-59.
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Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas thanks the crowd during her speech on Senior Day.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
A fan holds up a sign to thank the women's team on their last home game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. Arizona beat USC 68-59.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Arizona's 20th win of the season assures the Cats of a first-round bye in next week's Pac-12 Tournament.
"When you see that first one go in and the second one, you're shooting every open one after that."
Greg Hansen: Wildcats finish fast in must-win game after another slow startFor Star subscribers: Barnes said that Thursday’s loss "lit the fire" for Saturday’s Senior Day. It must’ve been a delayed fuse.
For Star subscribers only: The Star columnist dives into how much freshmen have impacted Southern Arizona high schools, Kerr "Three"-sa's historic first half against Utah, and how the transfer portal has fared for departures from the UA football team with spring ball approaching.