The Wildcats needed to get their magic back.
Taylor Chavez helped them find it. The UA guard hit 5 of 7 3-point attempts for a season-high 18 points as the 12th-ranked Wildcats celebrated Senior Day with a 68-59 win over USC on Saturday.
The victory gave ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 20 wins for the fourth consecutive season. Boasting a 10-6 Pac-12 record, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ secured a No. 4 seed and first-round bye in next week’s Pac-12 Tournament. They’ll play either No. 5 Colorado or No. 12 Washington in Thursday’s Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals. USC (12-15, 5-12) will face UCLA in its first-round matchup.
“This is a really good one for us,†UA coach Adia Barnes said.
Along the way, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ showed it can win without Cate Reese, who separated her shoulder in Sunday’s loss at Washington State. Barnes said the UA could get her back in time for the Pac-12 Tournament.
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“I thought that it was a really good win for our team psychologically, tactically, all that stuff, because we’re very different right now without our best player,†Barnes said. “And without someone who gives us 17 (points) and seven (rebounds) — one of our best players, so just this is a good one for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.â€
Chavez, an Oregon transfer, came off the bench and got hot. Chavez made 5 of 7 three-pointers.
“Honestly, I felt like our guards were getting me wide-open looks,†Chavez said. “There were I think six of the seven I shot I didn’t feel anyone within 3 or 4 feet of me besides that one that I got fouled on. I think that has a huge part of it was that when you’re left on an island wide open, all you see is a basket, you don’t see anything else and that’s all you can focus on.
“When you’re that wide open you (have) the confidence and you hear the crowd kind of stand up a little bit. When you see that first one go in and the second one, you’re shooting every open one after that.â€
Chavez wasn’t the only one who stepped up to replace Reese’s production.
Lauren Ware finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, marking the first double-double of her season and the third of her career. She also added three blocks and one steal.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Sam Thomas waves to the crowd after being honored as part of Senior Day.
“We said (to Ware), ‘We need you to want to be a monster on the boards,’ and she did that,†Barnes said. “But she’s capable of doing that every single game. I think this game is gonna be the difference-maker for Lauren, because this is what she was doing before she got hurt. … This is the Lauren Ware that can be every game. I’m just proud of her. I’m glad that she took the challenge. I’m glad she did because we got murdered on the board last game. For her to be the catalyst to that is just huge for us.â€
Shaina Pellington added 14 points, four assists and two steals and Sam Thomas had 10 points, two blocks and two steals.
USC led for much of the first half, then tied the game at 41-41 with 3:30 left in the third quarter. That’s when ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s defense took over: Koi Love had a steal and tipped it to Chavez, who was fouled going in for the layup.
Love then picked another one and dished to Pellington for another basket. Chavez hit a 3-pointer and Bendu Yeaney followed that with a jumper to give UA a 50-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Yeaney scored two more baskets — one coming off a steal — to give UA a 54-43 lead with 8:55 left in the game. Yeaney finished with eight points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists.
USC could get no closer than six points the rest of the way.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forced 21 turnovers.
Rim shots
Yeaney participated in Senior Day festivities after Saturday’s game, then announced that she will return for one more season.
UA outrebounded USC 35-32.
Barnes took Thomas out of the game with 24 seconds left, and the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Saturday marked Thomas’ final regular-season game at McKale.
The UA drew an announced crowd of 8,256 for Senior Day. The Wildcats finish the season with a record average attendance of 7,648, good for second in the Pac-12 (behind Oregon) and sixth nationally.
Photos: After slow start, Wildcats rally to beat USC on Senior Day
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ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) let out screams as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ catches up to USC in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) eyes the basket over USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo (34) and USC Trojans guard Desiree Caldwell (24) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) makes a drive towards the basket as USC Trojans guard Rayah Marshall (13) and USC Trojans guard Desiree Caldwell (24) defend in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) is defended by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) follows USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Shaina Pellington (1) eyes the basket as USC Trojans guard Rayah Marshall (13) and USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) defend in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
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ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Sam Thomas blocks the shot of USC forward Jordan Sanders during Saturday's first half. The UA senior is Pac-12 Hotline analyst Jeff Metcalfe's choice for Pac-12 defensive player of the year.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) releases the ball as USC Trojans guard Rayah Marshall (13) defends in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) eyes the basket as USC Trojans guard Kyra White (22) defends in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) gets pumped after hitting a three-pointer in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) eyes the basket as she's surrounded by USC defenders in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) is defended by USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo (34) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Taylor Chavez (3) eyes the basket for her first three-pointer of the game in the first half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes talks to her team in a huddle in the first half during a game against USC at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Koi Love (5) gets a handful from USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

Salvo Coppa, assistant coach, talks to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
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ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fell to No. 20 nationally in the latest AP poll, but is still projected by ESPN to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament next week.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

USC Trojans guard Desiree Caldwell (24) defends ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Taylor Chavez (3) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Madison Conner (4) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) embrace as Thomas leaves the court for the last time in the second half during a game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Taylor Chavez (3) hits the drum after the team's win against USC at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
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Sharpshooter Madison Conner (4) returns as part of a revamped Wildcats roster.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) becomes emotional as the Senior Day festivities begin at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won beat USC 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) annouces to the crowd that she will return next season to play basketball at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes escorts ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Ariyah Copeland (22) and her dog, Drew, onto center court as part of Senior Day at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes poses for a photo with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats center Semaj Smith (34) and her neice as part of Senior Day festivities at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) is escorted by her parents, Derek and Julie, onto center court as part of the Senior Day festivities at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) waves to the crowd after receiving her jersey in a frame as part of the Senior Day festivities at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 68-59.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas thanks the crowd during her speech on Senior Day.
USC at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Women's Basketball

A fan holds up a sign to thank the women's team on their last home game at McKale Center in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on February 26, 2022. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beat USC 68-59.