Citizen Staff Writer
UA WOMEN
KEN BRAZZLE
kbrazzle@tucsoncitizen.com
Three University of Arizona women’s basketball seniors will be honored Saturday in the team’s last home game of the year.
But the three could be overshadowed by the status of sophomore Ify Ibekwe, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder.
Ibekwe did not play against Washington State on Thursday because of a sprained knee, and UA lost 63-56.
Arizona coach Niya Butts said it could be a game-time decision on whether Ibekwe will play against last-place Washington at 1 p.m. at McKale Center.
Ibekwe is averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds.
If Ibekwe is unable to go, the three seniors will be relied upon heavily. Beatrice Bofia logged 34 minutes against WSU, finishing with a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Amina Njonkou scored 16 points in 25 minutes before fouling out. The other senior, Sarah Hays, grabbed eight rebounds in 22 minutes Thursday.
Njonkou said Arizona is a different team without Ibekwe.
“When Ify is on the court, the opponent focuses a lot on her and it gets others open,” Njonkou said. “We definitely need Ify.”
UA enters the contest only a game ahead of Washington in the Pac-10 standings.
UA WOMEN
Washington (6-20, 2-13)
at Arizona (10-16, 3-12)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: McKale Center
Radio: 1400 AM