SALT LAKE CITY – The nation's second leading scorer
Aari McDonald had her second-straight 30-point game, but it wasn't enough as Utah (13-1, 2-1) was able to hand Arizona (12-2, 2-1) their first Pac-12 loss of the season as well as their first overall loss since Nov. 13.
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McDonald had her second double-double of the season with 34 points and 11 rebounds to give her her fourth 30-point game of the season and second in as many games. Thirty-four points is the fourth-most points anyone has scored in school history.
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In The fourth quarter alone, McDonald scored 17 points.
Sam Thomas and
Dominique McBryde also each pitched in 10 points throughout the day.
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The Utes outshot Arizona 55% to 39% for the game, including 73% to 32% in the first half, which proved to be too much for Arizona to overcome in the second half.
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Utah was scorching hot in the first half, shooting 73% in both the first and second quarter while hitting seven of their nine three-point field goal attempts. On the other side of things, Arizona couldn't get their shots to fall as they shot 32% from the field. Through 20 minutes, Utah held a 51-26 lead.
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The Utes cooled off in the third quarter, but Arizona wasn't able to get anything going and Utah took a 65-37 lead into the fourth quarter. Arizona showed heart in the fourth quarter and won the period 27-15, but it was not enough and Utah handed Arizona their first Pac-12 loss of the season.
Next up for the Wildcats will be a home series against the Bay Area schools starting on Friday, Jan. 11 vs. California at 7 p.m. MST.
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