Feb 6, 2004
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - It was a must-win situation for Arizona if the Wildcats wanted to keep pace with seventh-ranked Stanford in the Pac-10 title chase.
Shawntinice Polk had 21 points and a career-high 19 rebounds as the Wildcats beat Stanford 88-83 Thursday night for their 24th consecutive victory at McKale Center.
"With this win, we are right back where we want to be, which is at the top of the Pac-10," coach Joan Bonvicini said. "Our team showed great character. Our team could have easily hung their heads after what happened at Arizona State on Saturday (a 68-60 loss) but we didn't."
Polk dominated inside for Arizona (17-5, 9-2 Pac-10), which took a 13-point lead with 14:37 left before making 17 of 18 free throws in the final six minutes. The Wildcats avenged a 20-point loss to the Cardinal on Jan. 10.
Dee-Dee Wheeler added 19 points and Natalie Jones 17 for the Wildcats, who led 34-32 at halftime.
"We lost horrible down in Stanford," Wheeler said. "This showed a lot of heart. It is a really big win."
Stanford (17-4, 10-2) was led by Nicole Powell's 22 points. Kelly Suminski added 19 and Susan Borchardt 13.
"Arizona deserved the win. They played very well. Their defense was very aggressive," Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer said. "They got the ball into Polk effectively. They had five different players in double figures."
VanDerveer said the loss sets up another showdown.
"All you are racing for is seeding in the Pac-10 tournament," she said. "Our tournament has created a rubber match for the season. We will play again."
Powell's 3-pointer closed the Cardinal's deficit to 77-73 with 1:03 to play.
Wheeler responded with three straight free throws, and Aimee Grzyb added two foul shots as the Wildcats went back up by seven points and held on from there.
It was the first time Arizona had beaten a seventh-ranked team since the Wildcats upset Washington in January 1998.