The Washington Huskies (14-13 overall, 6-8 in conference) went into McKale Center on the campus of the University of Arizona knowing that they would likely have to play the best game of the season to date if they were going to beat the 12th ranked 'Cats on Wednesday night. Not even close. Arizona 70, Washington 52. The season of Lorenzo Romar's discontent rolls on like an ever flowing stream.
More than one team has gotten well against Washington this season. Wednesday it was the Wildcats' turn. Arizona came into the game last in the Pac-12 defending the three pointer. The Huskies hit one long range shot. They attempted eleven.
Washington has been a lousy defensive team from the beginning of the season, trailing the Pac-12 in defense from the field. On this night they were going to have to shoot the ball efficiently and rebound the misses effectively. One Husky connected on over 50% of his shots. Everyone not named Desmond Simmons shot 27.8% from the field. Arizona outrebounded the Huskies 37-30. It was that kind of night in the Sonoran Desert. By the end of the evening Lorenzo Romar, energized and agitated for much of the evening, stared stonily toward the court.
The Wildcats were led by forward Solomon Hill, who tallied 19 points on six for 12 shooting. Mark Lyons, Arizona's leading scorer coming in, scored 14 points before fouling out with over seven minutes left in the game. The Wildcats as a team shot 47.1% from the field and 40% from three point range in a game in which they were never seriously challenged. Arizona (22-4, 10-4) is just a half game behind Oregon for first place in the conference.
For Washington its on to Arizona State Saturday night. With two days between games perhaps the Huskies can find the missing part of the puzzle before facing the Sun Devils. It would behoove them to give it a good old college try.
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