Arizona edges shorthanded Washington State women’s team 56-55

TUCSON, Ariz. – LaBrittney Jones scored 15 points with nine rebounds and Arizona pulled out a 56-55 win on Sunday after a shorthanded Washington State team missed a late free throw and a 3-pointer as time ran out.

The Cougars are missing their top three scorers after Chanelle Molina suffered a leg injury against Arizona State on Friday. WSU is already without Borislava Hristova and Louise Brown because of injuries. The three are out indefinitely.

Washington State led throughout the fourth quarter until Jones scored six-straight points with her jumper with 2:20 to play, putting the Wildcats ahead 52-51. Taryn Griffey followed with two free throws after a Jones steal, making it 54-51 at 2:02.

Getting a fourth chance on one possession, the Cougars tied it on a Pinelopi Pavlopoulou 3-pointer with 1:08 to go.

Jones’ putback put the Wildcats back on top with a half-minute to go but Nike McClure was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound and she only made the first of two free throws with seven seconds left. Destiny Graham missed two free throws for Arizona with 4.6 seconds remaining but Caila Hailey couldn’t connect on a final 3.

Malena Washington had 13 points for Arizona (11-6, 2-4 Pac 12), which was 14 of 18 from the foul line.

Hailey had 16 points for the Cougars (8-10, 3-4), who were 6 of 14 from the stripe.