Photos: University of Arizona comes out on top of a feisty Loyola Marymount 70-54, women's basketball
The Wildcats get in a cat fight with the Lions, have to fight to the finish in a 70-54 win in the second game of a homestead at McKale Center, November 12, 2023, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Salimatou Kourouma (24) gets hammered by Loyola Marymount forward Cynthia Ezeja (4) driving the baseline in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) ties up Loyola Marymount forward Alexis Mark (35) trying to work the perimeter in the first quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) eyes Loyola Marymount guard Da'Ja Hamilton (0) bringing the ball into half-court in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Helena Pueyo (13) scoops under Loyola Marymount forward Cynthia Ezeja (4) picking up a bucket and an and-one in the first quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Loyola Marymount guard Ella Wedin (3) crashes in from behind to strip away a shot by Arizona guard Salimatou Kourouma (24) in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) getting her shooting eye dialed in as the Wildcats get ready to host Loyola Marymount at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona head coach Adia Barnes huddles with her players during a fourth quarter timeout against Loyola Marymount at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Loyola Marymount guard Sydney Gandy (14), left, and Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) scuffle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Salimatou Kourouma (24), left, and and forward Esmery Martinez (12) put the pressure on Loyola Marymount forward Cynthia Ezeja (4) during their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) forces her way past teammate guard Salimatou Kourouma (24) to get to Loyola Marymount guard Da'Ja Hamilton (0) and a loose ball in the fourth quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) reacts after hitting a long range three from beyond the key against Loyola Marymount in the fourth quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Helena Pueyo (13), left, and guard Jada Williams (2) put the press on Loyola Marymount guard Noelle Yancy (21) McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Loyola Marymount guard Soufia Inoussa (11), left, forward Amaya Oliver (10) and guard Ella Wedin (3) collapse on Arizona guard Salimatou Kourouma (24) in the first quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Helena Pueyo (13) gets the crowd up as she prepares to hit the victory drum after 70-54 win over Loyola Marymount at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) is bit late getting to the inlet pass to Loyola Marymount guard Soufia Inoussa (11) at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona forward Isis Beh (33) gets tangled with Loyola Marymount forward Alexis Mark (35) trying to drag down an offensive rebound in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Loyola Marymount forward Cynthia Ezeja (4) and Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) crash to the floor after colliding on Ezeja’s pick at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) looks for room to shoot around Loyola Marymount forward Cynthia Ezeja (4) during their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Loyola Marymount forward Cynthia Ezeja (4) and Arizona forward Esmery Martinez (12) chase after loose ball in the early going of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Helena Pueyo (13) puts a stop to the shot from Loyola Marymount forward Alexis Mark (35) in the first quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) draws contact driving the baseline against Loyola Marymount guard Nicole Rodriguez (17) in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Loyola Marymount guard Da'Ja Hamilton (0) goes up but can’t control the long pass under Arizona pressure in the fourth quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) gets a pat on the back after returning to the bench and being assessed an intentional foul late against Loyola Marymount at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) flicks the ball out of the hands of Loyola Marymount guard Sydney Gandy (14) in the fourth quarter of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona guard Kailyn Gilbert (15) gets a hug from stands after the Wildcats’ 70-54 win over Loyola Marymount at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Arizona forward Breya Cunningham (25) takes aim under the basket against Loyola Marymount at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., November 12, 2023.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Fifth-year Helena Pueyo stuffs the stat sheet in Arizona's 70-54 win over LMU Sunday afternoon at McKale Center. She collected seven steals, dished four assists, scored 12 points, blocked one shot and had no turnovers.