Jan. 2, 2004
TUCSON (AP) -- Arizona's quick scoring outburst after the halftime break, combined with Dee-Dee Wheeler and Shawntinice Polk scoring 23 points apiece, led the Wildcats to an 81-60 victory over Arizona State on Friday night.
The victory was the 21st straight at McKale Center for Arizona (11-2, 3-0). It was also the 10th consecutive win for the Wildcats this season, tying a school record established previously during the 1996-1997 season.
Arizona broke open a 37-37 halftime tie by going on a 17-5 scoring spree in the opening seven minutes of the second stanza, with Wheeler and Polk combining for 13 of the points.
Polk finished the game with 10 rebounds for her third straight double-double. Arizona State (8-4, 2-1) was led by a career-high 21 points from freshman post Emily Westerberg on 9-of-11 shooting, while sophomore forward Kristen Kovesdy had 10 points.
Arizona's Danielle Adefeso, who tied a career-high with 14 points, had the opening points of the second half with an inside bucket, but from there the Wildcats' scoring leaders took over.
Wheeler utilized her speed for driving lay-ins, while Polk controlled the paint with one-on-one moves inside the lane. The Wildcats led 54-42 before Arizona State's Kristen Kovesdy hit two free throws to slow the momentum.
Wheeler once again propelled Arizona with a three-point play after converting a steal for a 62-47 lead with 8:21 remaining. After a field goal by ASU freshman Aubree Johnson, the Wildcats scored nine straight to build a 70-51 edge with four minutes left.
Arizona State returns to action this weekend, traveling to Stanford on Thursday night and to California on Saturday. Both games can be heard locally on NBC 1190 AM or via the internet at www.thesundevils.com.