Arizona women’s basketball lost its second down-to-the-wire game on Friday, a 57-54 defeat to Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. Despite holding the lead for much of the second half, the Wildcats could not close out the win and now move to 0-2 for the season.

Freshman Charise Holloway led the UA with a game-high 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. The 5-foot-9 guard has started both games this year and has quickly proven herself as one of the top shooters on a team that lacks scorers.

As a group, Arizona shot a dismal 27 percent from the field and made just nine baskets in the second half. The Wildcats attempted 21 shots from outside but only knocked down four of them.

The UA got off to a slow start in the first half, making just one field goal in the first seven minutes. A 15-2 run turned things around before the two teams went into halftime tied at 24 apiece.

For much of the second half, it looked as if the Wildcats were in control, and at one point they led by as many as eight points. 

However, Texas Tech clawed its way back in the final minutes by taking the lead with 1:36 to go and never relinquishing it.

Down by three with nine seconds to go, Arizona had the ball with a chance to extend the game, but a missed shot by Holloway cemented the win for the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech, picked to finish last in the Big 12 this season, had four players score in double-digits, including Kelsi Baker, who finished with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.

As a whole, rebounding was one of Arizona’s bright spots in the loss. The Wildcats edged Texas Tech 47-41 on the boards, with 10 rebounds coming from senior forward Alli Gloyd.

Free-throw shooting is another area for optimism, as the UA went 14 for 19 from the charity stripe.

Arizona head coach Niya Butts deployed a balanced attack versus the Red Raiders, as 10 different players all recorded double-digit minutes.

The Wildcats, nonetheless, were hampered by foul trouble. Starter LaBrittney Jones, usually one of the team’s top scorers, committed four fouls, forcing the sophomore to spend much of the game on the bench. Jones would finish with two points.

Arizona’s scoring woes were magnified by poor shooting performances from the rest of the team.

Senior Candice Warthen went 3-18 from the field and finished with eight points. Junior Keyahndra Cannon was slightly better, scoring nine points on a 4-11 outing.

The UA also hurt itself by committing 16 turnovers while dishing out only seven assists. Sloppy play and miscommunication has been a reoccurring theme for this group. Without a few of those mistakes, Arizona could be 2-0 right now instead of sitting winless.

The Wildcats return back home where they will face UC Santa Barbara in an early 11 a.m. matchup on Tuesday. The Gauchos have started the season 0-4, losing their most current game against NAU 67-49

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