TUCSON, Ariz. – Senior forward Joseana Vaz turned in a career performance, but the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team fell just short in an 87–83 loss at Arizona on Wednesday afternoon at McKale Memorial Center.
 
Vaz led EKU with career highs of 24 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double in the last four games. The Cape Verde native shot 50 percent (9 of 18) from the field, hit two 3-pointers, and went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.
 
EKU (7-2) placed three other players in double figures as its six-game winning streak, which dated to November 12, came to an end.
 
Senior guard Althea Kara Angeles scored 20 points and hit three 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Liz Freihofer added 18 points and three threes, marking her ninth double-figure scoring game of the season. Freshman guard Kenleigh Woods contributed 11 points on 50-percent shooting.
 
The Colonels shot 38 percent (28 of 73) from the field and knocked down 10 3-pointers. EKU trailed by as many as 15 in the third quarter but closed the gap to a single possession late.
 
Arizona (7-2) was paced by Mickayla Perdue's 27 points and 22 from Noelani Cornfield. The Wildcats shot 50 percent (30 of 60) and scored 26 fast-break points.
 
EKU opened with an 11–3 run behind early scoring from Angeles and Vaz, but Arizona answered with a 10–3 stretch to pull even. Vaz hit a late three to steady the Colonels before a Wildcat layup in the final seconds gave Arizona a 21–20 lead after one.
 
Freihofer briefly pushed EKU back in front with an early three in the second quarter, but Arizona responded with consecutive layups and a Perdue 3-pointer to regain control. The Wildcats shot 53 percent in the period and used a 15–6 run to build their largest lead of the half. Late free throws from Angeles and Freihofer trimmed the deficit, but Arizona carried a 40–35 edge into halftime.
 
Arizona extended its advantage with an 8–2 run to start the third quarter, sparked by Montaya Dew's free throws and another Perdue layup. EKU struggled to finish at the rim early in the period, but steady free-throw shooting and a 3-pointer from Ndidiamaka Ndukwe kept the Colonels within striking distance. The Wildcats continued to score in transition and led 62–51 entering the fourth.
 
EKU mounted a push behind Angeles and Vaz, using a 10–4 run to cut the deficit to single digits. Arizona countered with another three from Perdue and timely free throws to maintain its lead. Woods brought the Colonels within one, 78–77, on a left-wing 3-pointer with under two minutes remaining.
 
Freihofer added two late threes and EKU poured in 32 points in the fourth quarter, but Arizona matched baskets down the stretch. With no timeouts remaining, the Colonels were unable to complete the comeback as the Wildcats held on for the 87–83 win.
 
EKU returns to action on December 14, taking on longtime rival Marshall at 3 p.m. ET in Lexington, Kentucky at the Clive M. Beck Center. Fans can purchase tickets online here.