TUCSON, Ariz. – The third quarter proved to be the difference as the California women's basketball team fell to Arizona, 66-55, Friday night at the McKale Center in Tucson. The Golden Bears (13-7, 3-5 Pac-12) were outscored 23-11 in the quarter to help the Wildcats (10-10, 3-5) secure the victory.
 
Cal shot 8-of-15 from deep in the first half with five different Bears connecting and took a three-point lead going into halftime but ultimately lost control of the game in the third quarter. For the game, Cal committed a season-high 23 turnovers which led to 20 Wildcat points. Marta Suárez and Leilani McIntosh were the only Bears who scored double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively.
 
Both teams struggled to score early and combined for nine turnovers in the first quarter. A majority of the scoring came at the free-throw line with both teams combining for 18 attempts. The Bears had a four-minute stint without a field goal until Suárez hit a triple at the 1:46 mark to spark a 6-0 run, which gave Cal a 16-12 lead. Suárez hit another 3-pointer on Cal's last possession to give the Bears a 19-14 lead going into the second quarter.
 
The Wildcats scored six straight points to open the second quarter and tied the game at 19-19 before Ioanna Krimili hit her second triple to re-take the lead for the Bears. On Cal's next two possessions, Suárez and McIntosh got fouled on consecutive 3-point attempts and converted on five free-throws to extend the Bears' lead to 27-21 at the 7:16 mark. The Bears turned the ball over seven times over a four-minute stretch to allow the Wildcats back in the game, who were able to tie the game, 29-29, at the 3:38 mark. Cal got hot from beyond the arc to end the half with consecutive 3-pointers from Lulu Twidale, Claudia Langarita and Kemery Martín which gave the Bears a 38-35 lead at the break.
 
In the third quarter the Wildcats hit four-consecutive field goals to take a 45-43 lead at the 6:21 mark before McIntosh hit a layup to tie the game. Arizona built a five-point lead until McIntosh hit a floater with 2:30 remaining in the quarter to cut the deficit to three. The Wildcats answered with a 8-2 run to end the quarter and take a 58-49 lead going into the final quarter.
 
A McKayla Williams triple brought the Bears to within six points at the 8:23 mark in the fourth quarter, but they were unable to get any closer the rest of the way.  
 
Arizona was led by Esmery Martinez who had 20 points and seven rebounds.
 
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Cal stays on the road to take on Arizona State Sunday at 11 a.m. PT.   
 
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