BIG 12 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 6, 2025

Adia Barnes

Jada Williams

Skylar Jones

Isis Beh

T-Mobile Center

Arizona Wildcats

Postgame Press Conference

Colorado 61, Arizona 58

THE MODERATOR: We are joined by Arizona Head Coach Adia Barnes and student-athletes Jada Williams, Skylar Jones and Isis Beh. Coach?

ADIA BARNES: I would like to say first congratulations to Colorado. They came out and took this game from us. We led for most of the game. They never laid down and died, whether their star players were in foul trouble. They did a really good job of fighting and coming back and really making big plays at key moments that really hurt us.

Q. Jada, I don't think you played here since your sophomore year in high school. What did it mean to you to have all those fans and family here to watch you play?

JADA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was special to come out and watch me in a city I was raised in, learned how to play basketball in. Obviously it wasn't the outcome that we liked, but I love my teammates, and this is my family. And being able to step on the court today was special, and they shared a moment with me as well. My family is their family, and we're all super close. It was a blessing, but, of course, we wanted to win that game.

Q. Adia, I know you thought this was important for the NCAA bid. If it's the NIT, are you guys going to go?

ADIA BARNES: As of now, yes, but I'm hoping we have a chance -- I don't think this was a deciding factor to make it to the tournament, but I think we could have put ourselves in a really good position. I'm hoping we still have done enough with our body of work to get into the tournament. So hopefully no mid-major upsets right now, knock on wood.

Q. Coach, the last play of the game, was the ball set up to go to Skylar?

ADIA BARNES: No, it wasn't. It was actually a good read by Jada. It was set up to go to Jada or possibly Lauryn. We had three options. And then Jada made a great read because of how they played and switched, and Skylar had a wide-open look. Skylar is one of our highest percentage three-point shooters. With shooters around, it was a good look.

Q. Skylar, could you talk to me about the defense hustle, forcing Colorado into turnovers. Do you feel like that changed in the fourth quarter?

SKYLAR JONES: Yeah, I feel like they just went -- basketball is a game of runs, and they came on a run at a good time, and it was hard for us to come back from that.

Q. Do you have any message for the NCAA Tournament Selection Teams for the team's chase going into March?

SKYLAR JONES: Me?

Q. Yes.

SKYLAR JONES: A message about us?

Q. Yes.

SKYLAR JONES: That we make the tournament. I still hope we have a chance to play with the highest competition because I think we can.

Q. Coach, about Isis, being her last season and reflecting on today's games.

ADIA BARNES: What was the first part?

Q. I asked about Isis, it being her season and reflecting on today's game.

ADIA BARNES: She had a good season, playing the best basketball of her career. I always say she is a testament to stick with -- find a place you can call home and someone who believes in you, and you can do the hard work, which she has done. She has put herself in a position to be successful. She has been one of our most consistent players. Big players show up and they play and perform when it's needed, when the lights are bright and the stakes are high.

I think that's how stars are made. And she continued to prove why she should have been -- in my opinion, she should have been All-Conference, and she's played like that. Today she did her job. I couldn't have asked for anything more. She played 37 minutes, four for eight, nine points, 14 rebounds when the stakes are high. I'm very proud of her.

Did I want her to play 37? No, I wanted her to play less, because she is on the top of our press, but she plays her heart out, and she wanted to win this game. So I'm proud of how she has been the whole season and she has been consistent. I'm sad she doesn't have another year of eligibility, but she didn't want her season to end. I hope for her, I hope it didn't end today.

Q. Coach, your first season in the Big 12, first time in the Big 12 Tournament. Give your thoughts on the tournament?

ADIA BARNES: I think this tournament was ran extremely well. The details are very important to me. Everything was first-class. I'm really proud to be part of this league. I think it was a first-class tournament. We didn't play first-class today, but we had a chance. We're a young team and our youth showed, and we were exploited at times. There were times in the fourth quarter where a bunch of really immature fouls hurt us, and offensive rebounds that really hurt us.

I think the tournament was run well. I love Kansas City, I definitely love the BBQ. I don't love the cold weather but I love the BBQ, but I think everything was ran well. This league has been very competitive. I think it's even more competitive than I anticipated. Coming from the Pac-12, it was a gauntlet last year, but I think the top part of this league and even just the whole league is one of the best in the country, and I think it's ran like one of the best, so definitely first-class in every way.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much.