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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona (No. 16 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP) kept talking about tournament play but almost lost sight of the moment in a narrow, late victory over Oregon State.
Felecity Willis made two free throws with 29 seconds left in overtime as Arizona rallied to beat Oregon State 79-77 Thursday night.
"If this was any other team we would have had a harder time," Elizabeth Pickney said while complaining about a lack of intensity early on. "This close game will help us when it comes time for the tournament."
The Wildcats (22-5, 11-4) trailed 58-46 with 7:42 remaining in
regulation before a 12-2 spurt closed the gap.
They took a 67-65 lead on a Lisa Griffith's 3-pointer with 30
seconds left.
Oregon State (14-14, 10-6) forced overtime when Chassie Wiersma
made two free throws with 1.7 seconds left.
Arizona never trailed in the extra period as Tatum Brown and
Reshea Bristol had four points apiece.
Oregon State's attempt to force double overtime failed as
Felicia Ragland's last-second shot hit the rim and bounced off.
Pickney paced the Wildcats with 17 points. Bristol added 15
while Brown had 14 and Angela Lackey 13 for Arizona as the Wildcats
set a school record by making 20 of 22 free throws in the game.
"We're lucky we came out with a win," Lackey said. "There are
things we need to work on."
Sissel Pierce scored 19 points for the Beavers, who led by 13 in
the first half and 36-34 at halftime. Ragland and Reda Petraitis
each finished with 16 points.
"Our dream is to play a close game like this," Wiersma said.
"It's disappointing that we lost, but I know we can beat teams
like this."
Oregon State coach Judy Spoelstra said a bit of panic in the
last five minutes played into Arizona's hands.
Nonetheless, she said, "we proved that we can play with anybody on any given night. I'm still happy with where we sit in the conference with three games to play.
"The key for us is to put this game behind us and bounce back
against Arizona State (on Saturday night)."
Arizona coach Joan Bonvicini complained about being out-hustled early in the game but credited the Wildcats' press and renewed intensity later for allowed them to "crawl back" for the victory.
"This is the same kind of atmosphere that we are going to find
in the tournament, so it was key that we responded well," she
added. "We definitely need some better redounding from our guards
if we are going to win on Saturday against Oregon."
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ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Oregon State Clubhouse
Arizona Clubhouse
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