TUCSON, Ariz. – Coming off a hard-fought victory over No. 24 California, the Arizona Wildcats (13-2, 3-1 Pac-12) will host No. 6 Stanford (13-1, 3-0 Pac-12) on Sunday in McKale at noon MST on the Pac-12 Networks.
 
Sunday, Jan. 13 vs. Stanford at noon MST
TV: Pac-12 Networks (Cindy Brunson & Joan Bonvicini)
Radio: 1400 AM (Derrick Palmer)
Twitter: @ArizonaWBB
#MadeForIt
 
FROM THE TIP

• Arizona beat their second-straight ranked opponent in No. 24 California on Friday. The last time Arizona beat two ranked opponents in one season, as well as two in a row, was during the 2002-03 season.
   
• Aari McDonald was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 on Wednesday and is the first player in school history to make the list since Shawntinice Polk (2003-04).
   
• McDonald, the nation's leading scorer, has scored 30 points in three-straight games after pouring in 36 against Cal on Friday. She is the first Pac-12 player since Kelsey Plum (2016-17) to score at least 30 points in three-straight games.
   
• Arizona is looking to break a six-game losing streak vs. the Cardinal and will go for their first win over a top-10 team since beating No. 7 Stanford in 2004.
   
• The Wildcats are one of nine teams in the nation to allow fewer than 53 points per game and are the only team in the Pac-12 to do so.
   
• McDonald is the first player since Adia Barnes (97-98) to score 30 points in five games in one season.

Last Five vs. Stanford
1/28/18: at Stanford 79, Arizona 42
1/5/18: Stanford 61, at Arizona 46
1/20/17: at Stanford 74, Arizona 46
1/1/17: Stanford 77, at Arizona 55
2/12/16: at Stanford 82, Arizona 58
 
Scouting the Cardinal
Stanford is coming off a tough road win over Arizona State by a score of 72-65 and have won seven in a row, including wins over Baylor and Tennessee. The Cardinal are led by Alanna Smith, who averages 19.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Kianna Williams and DiJonai Carrington also score in double figures at 14 points and 13 points per game. Head coach Tara Vanderveer is three wins away from 900 career victories at Stanford.
 
Aar it Out
After all the anticipation, redshirt sophomore guard Aari McDonald is finally eligible to put on the block A and represent the Wildcats on the court after transferring from Washington back in 2017. She stormed onto the scene and tied the single-game record with 39 points against Loyola Marymount in just the second game of the season and is currently the nation's leading scorer at 26.1 points per game. The Fresno native is also the first player in school history to score at least 15 points in the first 15 games of the season and is the first player in school history to score 30 points in three-straight games. Additionally, McDonald is the first Pac-12 player to score 30 points in three-straight games since the NCAA's all-time leading scorer Kelsey Plum had four-straight in Jan. 2017 She has scored at least 30 points in five games this season, becoming the first player to do so since Adia Barnes had five during her senior season (1997-98). During her freshman season in 2016-17, McDonald was named Pac-12 All-Freshman after averaging just under 10 points per game while shooting 47% from the field in 24.1 minutes per game. She started in 21 games for the Huskies, who would advance to the Sweet 16.
 
McDonald Named to Wooden Award Midseason Top 25
McDonald was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list on Wednesday and is the first Wildcat since Shawntinice Polk (2003-04) to be named to the list. She is one of six Pac-12 players on the list, the most of any other conference in the country, and is one of five underclassmen (Frosh & Soph.) on the list.
 
A Premier Bucket Getter
No player in Arizona history has led the nation in scoring and only two Wildcats (Adia Barnes and Dee Dee Wheeler) have led the conference in scoring. In fact, only Barnes averaged at least 20 points per game in one season when she scored 21.8 per game during her senior season (1997-98). In order for McDonald to break the single-season scoring record, McDonald needs to score 262 more points. She has scored 392 through 15 games and the Wildcats have 14 more regular season games.
 
NCAA's Leading Scorers
1. Aari McDonald (Arizona): 26.1
2. Megan Gustafson (Iowa): 25.93
3. Cierra Dillard (Buffalo): 25.92
 
Div. I Players, Most Recent Streaks of 3+ Games with 30+ Points
Aari McDonald, Ariz                 3     01/04/2019 - 01/11/2019 
Mikayla Ferenz, Idaho               3     11/23/2018 - 12/01/2018    
Terriell Bradley, NorTx               3     11/24/2018 - 12/01/2018    
Randi Brown, UNO                    3     02/25/2017 - 03/04/2017    
Kelsey Plum, Wash                    4     01/06/2017 - 01/15/2017
 
Pac-12 Players, Streaks of 3+ Games with 30+ Points - Since 1999-00 
Aari McDonald, Ariz                 3     01/04/2019 - 01/11/2019 
Kelsey Plum, Wash                    4     01/06/2017 - 01/15/2017    
Kelsey Plum, Wash                    3     12/04/2016 - 12/11/2016    
Chiney Ogwumike, Stan            4     01/03/2014 - 01/12/2014 
 
Pac-12 Players, Streaks of 3+ Conference Games with 30+ Points - Since 1999-00
Aari McDonald, Ariz                 3     01/04/2019 - 01/11/2019 
Kelsey Plum, Wash                    4     01/06/2017 - 01/15/2017    
Chiney Ogwumike, Stan            4     01/03/2014 - 01/12/2014
 
Pac-12, Most Games in a Single Season with 30+ Points - Since 1999-00
2016-17    Kelsey Plum, Wash                17
2013-14    Chiney Ogwumike, Stan         14
2015-16    Kelsey Plum, Wash                10
2014-15    Kelsey Plum, Wash                7
2011-12    Nneka Ogwumike, Stan         6
2018-19    Aari McDonald, Ariz             5
 
Three-Time Pac-12 Player of the Week
Aari McDonald was named Pac-12 Player of the Week for the third time this season on Monday after averaging 33 points, eight rebounds and five steals per game against Colorado and Utah on the road. She won her second on Dec. 3 after averaging 26.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals in Arizona's two wins against Incarnate Word and San Diego State and won her first on Nov. 19 after averaging 32 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 assists and 2.7 three-pointers per game on 56% shooting from the field over the three games.
 
Reese's Buckets
Cate Reese became the first Wildcat since Shawntinice Polk in 2002 to record a double-double in her collegiate debut and became the first freshman to score at least 20 in her first career game since Davellyn Whyte in 2008 after scoring 21 points and bringing down 10 rebounds in the opener against Idaho State. Through 15 games, Reese averages 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, making her the second-leading scorer and leading rebounder among freshmen in the Pac-12.
 
Reese's Boards
Against Montana, Cate Reese became the 10th Wildcat to grab at least 18 rebounds in a game, was the first since Ify Ibekwe (Feb. 13, 2011) and is the first freshman to do so since Polk (Dec. 22, 2002). Reese, who averages 8.4 rebounds per game is the eighth-leading rebounder in the Pac-12 and averages the most among all freshmen in the Pac-12. Head coach Adia Barnes' career-high in rebounds was 18 back on Jan. 7, 1995.
 
Reese Arizona's First Pac-12 Freshman of the Week
Cate Reese was named Arizona's Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on Nov. 26 after her 19-point and 16-rebound performance against South Carolina State. Reese became Arizona's first Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in school history.
 
I'll Have a Double-Double
Reese has the second-most double-doubles among all freshmen in the Pac-12 with four through 15 games. After scoring 20 points and grabbing 18 rebounds against Montana, Reese became the first freshman since Ify Ibekwe to have four double-doubles in one season. Additionally, the last player to have five or more double-doubles in a season was Davellyn Whyte in the 2012-13 season.  
 
Reese Cashes in From the Charity Stripe
Reese leads Arizona and is first among freshmen and third overall in the Pac-12 in free throw percentage as she is shooting 86.5% (32-37) from the line. The Cypress, Texas native has had three such games where she has been perfect from the line with at least five attempts.
 
Sam I Am
Sam Thomas had a typical Sam Thomas game in the opener, scoring 15 points, bringing down nine rebounds and swiping four steals, but then struggled on the offensive end in the next six games averaging just 5.7 points per game. The sophomore has gotten back to her old ways in lately as she has scored in double-figures in six of her last eight games. Although her offensive production hasn't been there all season, she has brought it day in and day out on the defensive end, recording at least three steals in seven games. Thomas is the only player in the Pac-12 to be in the top six in both blocks and steals.
 
Old Man Dominique
Ask anyone to characterize redshirt junior Dominique McBryde's game and they will all say "old man game." McBryde, who transferred from Purdue after the 2016-17 season is poised to have a big year for the Wildcats after sitting out the 2017-18 season. She has scored in double-figures in four of her last seven games while scoring in double-figures just once in her first seven. Against Arizona State, she was a menace on the defensive end, recording a career-high four steals while blocking two shots for the second game in a row. While at Purdue, McBryde was named honorable mention All-Big-Ten in 2017, averaging 6.7 points and 6.3 rebounds while making 25 starts. She had her first double-figure scoring game of the season against South Carolina State with 10 points to go with six rebounds.
 
Buenos Dias, Lucia
Junior guard Lucia Alonso returns to the court for year three with a ton of experience, playing 1,088 minutes last season to go along with 887 minutes the year before. The only player in Arizona history that played more minutes in their first two years was Arizona Ring of Honor inductee Davellyn Whyte, who played 2,095 in her first two seasons. Known as a knockdown three-point shooter, Alonso has the highest career three-point percentage in school history at 40.1%. She has made at least three three-pointers in five games this season.
 
It's Her Destiny
Destiny Graham is the lone four-year senior on the team who started her career at Arizona. Not only that, she is the only player on the roster who played for former head coach Niya Butts. Graham is poised for a big senior year after having a career year in 2017-18, averaging career highs in both points (8.1 ppg) and rebounds (6.4 rpg). She returned to the rotation against Long Beach State after missing four games and was effective in her 20 minutes off the bench, scoring eight points and bringing down four rebounds.
 
Lock it Up
The Arizona defense has been swarming so far through the first 15 games. The Cats are allowing just 52.8 points per game, which is first in the Pac-12 and ninth in the country and are allowing opponents to just 35% shooting, which is also the second-best mark in the conference. Additionally, teams are shooting 28.1% from three against the Cats, which leads the conference. Against South Carolina State, the Bulldogs shot just 19.6% from the field, which is 0.2% higher than the school record for lowest field goal percentage allowed in one game. So far, Arizona has forced the opponent to shoot below 35% seven times this year as opposed to last year when opponents shot under 35% four times all season. Over the last 10 games, Arizona is averaging 11.5 steals per game and is averaging 10.2 on the season which leads the Pac-12.
 
Winning Big
All but four of Arizona's victories has come by at least 20 points this year and they also have four wins of 30 or more. On average, Arizona outscores their opponent by 19.5 points per game, which is third in the Pac-12 and 13th in the nation. On that same note, in every single one of Arizona's wins, they led by at least 10 points at one point in the game.
 
It's Been a While

• Aari McDonald became the first player since Shawntinice Polk ('03-'04) to be named to the Wooden Award Midseason Watch List.
   
• McDonald is the first player since Adia Barnes ('97-'98) to score 30 points at least five times in one season and is the first in school history to have three-straight 30-point games.
   
• The Wildcats have beaten their first two ranked opponents (No. 17 ASU & No. 24 Cal). The last time Arizona won two conference games, as well as back-to-back wins over ranked opponents was during the 2002-03 season.
   
• Arizona won 11-straight games for the first time in school history from mid-November to early-January.
   
• UA has won three of their first four conference games for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
   
• The last time Arizona started the season 13-2 was during the 2000-01 season.
   
• The Wildcats beat Colorado at the CU Events Center for the first time in school history.
   
• Aari McDonald is the first player since Davellyn Whyte to record at least eight steals in one game (Dec. 12, 2012). She finished one off the school record.
   
• Arizona received votes in the coaches poll this week. The last time Arizona was ranked was the 2004-05 season.
   
• The Wildcats won their games against South Carolina State, Incarnate Word and Montana by 40+ points, which is a feat that has never happened as the Wildcats have never won three games in one season by at least 40 points.

Heating Up
After struggling from the field in the first two games of the season, Arizona has seemed to find its shooting groove in the last 12 games. In the first two games of the season, the Wildcats shot a combined 35.3% from the field and have shot a combined 46% from the field over their last 13.
 
The Clutch Gene
In the last 30 seconds of the quarter, Arizona is shooting 22-48 (46%) from the field. There have only been three games in which Arizona did not make at least one shot in the last 30 seconds of a quarter (Portland, Colorado and California).
 
Knocking Down the Trey
The Wildcats have struggled from deep in past years, but the three-point shot has become a weapon for Arizona this season. Arizona has had three games where they have made at least 10 three-pointers. Last year, Arizona made 10 or more three-pointers in two of their 30 games. Aari McDonald (32), Lucia Alonso (25) and Sam Thomas (16) lead the way for Arizona.
 
Let It Fly
Arizona was getting their threes in during the San Diego State game, especially in the first half when they took 20 three-pointers. At the end of it all, Arizona finished with 32 three-point attempts, which is tied for the second-most in school history. Aari McDonald and Lucia Alonso combined to make 10 as they each made five triples, while McDonald tied the school record with 14 attempts.
 
Taking Care of the Ball
Turnovers were an issue in the first two games of the season as the Wildcats averaged 20.5 turnovers. Coach Adia Barnes made a point to her team to take care of the ball and since then, the Wildcats average just 11.9 turnovers per game in the last 13 games, including just six against California which is tied for the second-fewest in school history. The Wildcats boast the best turnover margin in the Pac-12 with a margin of +5.8 as they force the most turnovers per game in the Pac-12 (18.9) and commit the second-fewest (13.1).
 
Barnes' Numbers vs. Stanford as a Player
Adia Barnes has a record of 1-7 vs. Stanford as a player and averaged 17.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Her best game against the Cardinal came on Mar. 6, 1997 when she scored 29 points and brought down seven rebounds. Arizona's lone win while Barnes was a student-athlete came on Jan. 12, 1998 when Barnes scored 22 points and had seven rebounds in a 91-90 victory over the 11th-ranked Cardinal. Reshea Bristol made a buzzer-beating game-winning bucket that day.
 
FOLLOW WOMEN'S HOOPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Arizona women's basketball by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/ArizonaWomensBasketball), Twitter (@ArizonaWBB) and Instagram (@arizonawbasketball).