Photos: Arizona Wildcats fall in their Pac-12 home opener 75-74 vs. Colorado, women's college basketball
The shorthanded Arizona Wildcats take Colorado to the buzzer, literally, before losing 75-74 Friday at McKale Center in Wildcats' final Pac-12 home opener before coach Adia Barnes' UA women's basketball team joins the Big 12 next year.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) grimaces after losing the race to the ball against Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) during the fourth quarter in their Pac-12 game at McKale Center on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) smacks down Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) trying to stop her drive to the basket in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) slams into Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh (21) while trying to get a loose ball at mid-court in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Colorado’s Jaylyn Sherrod (00) passes the ball mid-jump as Arizona's Esmery Martinez (12) puts her arm out to block during the first half of the game against Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) vies with the Buffalo defense for a rebound against Colorado in their Pac-12 game at McKale Center on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) gets stripped of the ball trying to split Colorado guard Frida Formann (3), left, and guard Kindyll Wetta (15) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) gets jostled off a rebound by Colorado guard Sara-Rose Smith (4) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) exults after drawing the foul on her run-and-coop basket in the second quarter against Colorado in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Colorado guard Frida Formann, left, ties up Arizona forward Esmery Martinez fighting for a rebound under the Wildcat bucket in the final seconds of the Buffaloes’ 75-74 win at McKale Center on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) gets just enough room to dish off a pass under Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) fends off Colorado forward Charlotte Whittaker (45) keeping her from getting a pass in the paint in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) picks up her fourth foul of the night late in the fourth quarter, attempting to block a shot from Colorado guard Sara-Rose Smith (4) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) tries to wrench the ball out of the arms of Colorado guard Tameiya Sadler (2) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) tries to hook her way to the basket around Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh (21) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona’s Jada Williams (2) yells out for high coverage as Colorado gains possession of the ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00), left, and Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) get tangled up chasing the ball following a missed Wildcat shot in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) finds room for a reverse layup against Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh (21) in their Pac-12 game at McKale Center on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
An Arizona cheerleader dances in front of thousands of glow sticks given to the fans during a fourth quarter time out against Colorado in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) and Colorado forward Quay Miller (11) fight for the ball during the first quarter in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes shouts from the sidelines during the second half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) pushes off Colorado Buffaloes guard Tameiya Sadler (2) as she turns with the ball during the second half of game at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Skylar Jones (4) manages to grab the ball before the arrival of Colorado guard Tameiya Sadler (2) late in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) screens off Arizona guard Courtney Blakely (1) as they jockey for position in the chase for the ball in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Jada Williams (2) chases down Colorado Buffaloes guard Kindyll Wetta (15) during the first half of the game at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) takes the hit but doesn’t get the call charging call defending a drive from Colorado guard Sara-Rose Smith (4) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona’s Salimatou Kourouma, right, Erin Tack, and Isis Beh, left, cheer from the sidelines after their teammate Jada Williams sinks a shot during the first half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona’s Jada Williams (2) extends her arm while she keeps tight defense on Colorado’s Jaylyn Sherrod (00) during the second half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) can’t drag down the rebound from Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh (21) on the Wildcats’ last shot for the lead in a 75-74 loss to the Buffaloes in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Colorado’s Jaylyn Sherrod (00) drives the ball to the net against Arizona’s Courtney Blakely (1) during the first half of the game against Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25), left, and guard Helena Pueyo (13) get arms full of Colorado guard Tameiya Sadler (2) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Esmery Martinez (12) looks to pass the ball while Colorado Buffaloes guard Kindyll Wetta (15) and center Aaronette Vonleh (21) put her under high pressure during the second half of the game at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona head coach Adia Barnes adjusts her offensive set against Colorado in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) works from behind to stop a shot Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh (21) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona’s Courtney Blakely (1) runs to cover Colorado’s Jaylyn Sherrod (00) during the first half of the game at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15), top, and forward Esmery Martinez (12) swarm over Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) in the fight for a loose ball in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Colorado’s Jaylyn Sherrod (00) speeds through Arizona’s defense to earn two points during the second half of the game at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) reacts after coming in hard and getting hit making a shot against Colorado in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Esmery Martinez (12) puts her arms up in attempt to block Colorado Buffaloes guard Frida Formann (3) shot during the second half of the game at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Jada Williams, left, muscles her way into the lane against Colorado guard Frida Formann in the first quarter in their Pac-12 game at McKale Center on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona guard Courtney Blakely (1) isn’t quite tall enough to intercept the half-court inlet pass to Colorado forward Quay Miller (11) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona’s Jada Williams (2) passes the ball before Colorado’s Tameiya Sadler (2) comes in to defend her during the second half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes holds her hand over her heart as the Star Spangled Banner plays before the start of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) takes long range shots in the early shoot-around before the Wildcats tip off against Colorado in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Jada Williams (2) practices her shot against a basketball staff member before the start of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Isis Beh (33) stands on the sidelines in a tracksuit while her teammates warm up before the start of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, 1721 East Enke Drive, Jan. 5, 2024. A UofA spokesperson says it was a gametime decision to keep Beh out of tonights match.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Grace Trejo
Photojournalist
Arizona (9-5, 1-1) vs. No. 15 Utah (11-3, 1-1): Scout, forgotten shot and The 3 with Utah coach Lynne Roberts, who said UA is a 'menace on defense.'
Despite a short bench, Arizona's mentality and some standout performances were key in Arizona's near upset of No. 5 Colorado on Friday night. While, there's more to work on — especially on defense — coach Adia Barnes is confident the Wildcats will surprise Pac-12 teams going forward.
Despite having only seven healthy players, Arizona nearly upset No. 5 Colorado, missing a shot at the buzzer in a 75-74 setback at McKale Center on Friday night.