Arizona Opens Season with 71-46 Win Over Idaho State

Friday, November 9

Tucson, AZ

6:30 PM

University of Arizona

Idaho State

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Idaho St.	9	11	8	18	46
Arizona	20	16	12	23	71

11/5 W Basketball vs. Western New Mexico

Arizona Opens Season with 71-46 Win Over Idaho State

11/09/2018 | Women's Basketball

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By: Arizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz. – Aari McDonald and Cate Reese recorded double-doubles in their Wildcat debuts on Friday night and led the Wildcats to a 71-46 win over Idaho State in the season opener. Head coach Adia Barnes is now the first coach in school history to win their first three season-openers.

McDonald finished the game with a game-high 22 points, one shy of her career high, while setting new career highs in rebounds (10) and assists (6). She also added in a pair of steals.

Have a night @AarionMcdonald.

22 points (one shy of a career high)
10 rebounds (career high)
6 assists (career high)
First career double-double. pic.twitter.com/Ngzb7du4bx
— Arizona Women's Basketball (@ArizonaWBB) November 10, 2018

Reese did what she does and scored 21 points while grabbing 10 boards. The freshman showed her shooting ability as well, knocking down a trio of three-pointers.

She can shoot it too! @cate_reese gives us the lead with a top of the key 3?? pic.twitter.com/EJrGH4xjJ8
— Arizona Women's Basketball (@ArizonaWBB) November 10, 2018

Sam Thomas also had a stellar night, scoring 15 points, bringing down nine rebounds and recording four steals.

As a team, Arizona locked things down, forcing Idaho State into 29% shooting and 24 turnovers.

After a slow start, Arizona went on a 15-2 run to end the first quarter and take a 20-9 lead into the second period. Reese hit a buzzer beater to give her 10 points in the first quarter. McDonald took over a bit in the second quarter, scoring seven of Arizona's 16 points and helped the Wildcats extend their lead to 36-20 at halftime. Reese hit another shot with four seconds at the end of the quarter.

The third quarter was low scoring with just a combined 20 points between the two teams, but that wasn't the story in the fourth quarter as Arizona scored 23 by themselves and cruised to the first victory of the season. Thirteen of McDonald's 22 points came in the second half.

W

Cats win the opener by 25. @cate_reese and @AarionMcdonald both with double-doubles in their Wildcat debuts.#MadeForIt | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/6uNgjnBsUW
— Arizona Women's Basketball (@ArizonaWBB) November 10, 2018

The Wildcats are back at it for game two of the season on Tuesday, Nov. 13 against Loyola Marymount at 6:30 p.m. MST at McKale Center.

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