PULLMAN, Wash. – Coming off a 10-point win on the road against Washington on Thursday, the Arizona Wildcats (15-7, 5-6 Pac-12) will face the Washington State Cougars (7-16, 2-10 Pac-12) on Saturday at 1 p.m. MST on the Pac-12 Networks.
 
Saturday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. MST at Washington State
TV: Pac-12 Networks (Greg Heister & Elise Woodward)
Radio: 1400 AM (Derrick Palmer)
Twitter: @ArizonaWBB
#MadeForIt
 
FROM THE TIP

• The Wildcats are looking to sweep the Washington schools for the first time since the 2010-11 season as well as their first Pac-12 road sweep since the same season.
   
• The road team has won three of the last four matchups between Arizona and Washington State.
   
• Aari McDonald became the fastest player in school history to reach 500 points in one season and is averaging 29 points per game over her last three.
   
• McDonald, the nation's second-leading scorer, has scored at least 15 points in all 22 games this season, making her the first Wildcat to do so.
   
• Arizona has secured a regular season winning percentage above .500 for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
   
• McDonald is fifth on the Arizona single-season scoring list. Only Adia Barnes and Dee-Dee Wheeler scored more points in a single season. She needs nine points to pass both of Wheeler's season and move into third behind Barnes' junior and senior seasons.
   
• McDonald is the first player in school history to score at least 30 points in six games in one season and has the most 30-point games in the country as well.
   
• Five of Arizona's seven losses this season have come against teams currently ranked in the top 20.

Last Five vs. Washington State
2/2/18: Washington State 78, at Arizona 60
2/12/17: Arizona 70, at Washington State 62
1/15/17: at Arizona 56, Washington State 55
2/21/16: Washington State 62, at Arizona 61
1/8/16: at Washington State 67, Arizona 46
 
Scouting the Cougars
Washington has dropped their last seven games after dropping one to Arizona State on Thursday night. The Cougars are led by a backcourt of Borislava Hristova and Chanelle Molina. Hristova averages 20.3 points per game and also brings down 6.0 rebounds per game. Molina scores 15.8 points and dishes out 5.1 assists per game. Alexys Swedlund also scores 11.5 points per game and averages over two made threes per game.
 
Aar it Out
After all the anticipation, redshirt sophomore guard Aari McDonald is 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 second-leading scorer at 25.3 points per game. Among plenty of accomplishments, McDonald became 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 and has scored at least 30 points in six games this season, becoming the first Wildcat to do so and the fourth among Pac-12 players since the 1999-00 season. She is second in the nation with six 30-point games this season. 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.
 
An Unprecedented Start
Aari McDonald is off to the best start scoring wise in school history through 22 games. After scoring 35 points against UCLA, she became the fastest player in school history to 500 points in one season. The RS sophomore is also the first Wildcat to score at least 15 points in the first 22 games of the season and is the first to have six 30-point games in one season. She is the third Pac-12 player since the 1999-00 season to score at least 500 points in 20 games or fewer and is one of four players to have six 30-point games in one season. McDonald is also the first sophomore in the Pac-12 since the 99-00 season to get to 500 points in 20 games or fewer.
 
McDonald Named to Wooden Award Midseason Top 25
McDonald was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list on Jan. 9 and is the first Wildcat since Shawntinice Polk (2003-04) to be named to the list. She was one of six Pac-12 players on the list, the most of any other conference in the country, and was 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 98 more points. She has scored 556 through 22 games and the Wildcats have seven more regular season games.
 
NCAA's Leading Scorers
1. Megan Gustafson (Iowa): 26.6
2. Aari McDonald (Arizona): 25.3
3. Cierra Dillard (Buffalo): 24.7
 
Arizona Single-Season Scoring List
                                    Year     GP       Points
1. Adia Barnes               1998     30         653
2. Adia Barnes               1997     31         598
3. Dee-Dee Wheeler      2005     32         564
4. Dee-Dee Wheeler      2004     33         558
5. Aari McDonald         2019     22         556
 
Arizona Single-Season Scoring List (Sophomores)
                                    Year     GP       Points
1. Aari McDonald         2019     22         556
2. Shawntinice Polk       2004     33         549
3. Davellyn Whyte         2011     33         523
4. Adia Barnes               1996     30         522
 
Most 30-Point Games this Season (NCAA)
Megan Gustafson (Iowa)                        7
Aari McDonald (Arizona)                      6
NaJai Pollard (Delaware St)                   6
Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame)            5
Jess Genco (Northeastern)                     5
Kierra Anthony (La Tech)                       5
Chloe Wanink (Wofford)                        4
Morgan Bertsch (UC Davis)                   4
 
Fewest Games to 500 Points Since 1999-00 (Pac-12 Players)
Kelsey Plum, Wash. ('16-'17) – 17
Chiney Ogwumike, Stan. ('13-'14) – 19
Kelsey Plum, Wash. ('16-'17) – 19
Aari McDonald, Ariz. ('18-'19) – 20
   
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
2018-19    Aari McDonald, Ariz             6
2011-12    Nneka Ogwumike, Stan         6
 
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 Jan. 7 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 in the opener against Idaho State. Reese averages 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, making her the leading scorer and rebounder among freshmen in the Pac-12. Reese has turned it up as of late, scoring in double-figures in four of her last six games.
 
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 had her first double-figure rebounding effort against a Pac-12 opponent against UCLA, averages 7.3 rebounds per game, 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 Pac-12 Freshman of the week for the third time this season on Jan. 28 after averaging 15.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game on 54% shooting against the L.A. schools while recording her first-career Pac-12 double-double. Reese won her second just last week, averaging 17 points, five rebounds and two steals on 58% shooting against the Oregon schools, who were both ranked in the top 10 at the time. Reese became Arizona's first Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on Nov. 26 after her 19-point and 16-rebound performance against South Carolina State.
 
I'll Have a Double-Double
Reese has the second-most double-doubles among all freshmen in the Pac-12 with five. After scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against UCLA in her first double-double against a Pac-12 opponent, Reese became the first freshman since Ify Ibekwe to have five 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, is first among freshmen and fifth overall in the Pac-12 in free throw percentage as she is shooting 82.1% (46-56) 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
Defensive versatility is the story of Sam Thomas, who is the only player in the Pac-12 to average at least 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Throughout a game, you can find the sophomore guarding the opposing team's point guard or center. There have been eight games this season in which she has recorded at least three steals, including the game against South Carolina State in which she had five blocks and four steals. Of Arizona's 22 games, there have only been five in which she has not recorded at least one steal. Not only is she an incredible defender, she is also Arizona's third-leading scorer at 9.1 points per game and makes just over one three-pointer per game. She scored a season-high 17 points against UCLA and has six games this season in which she has made at least three three-pointers.
 
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 has been one of Arizona's most crucial players, especially on the defensive end, after sitting out the 2017-18 season. She was crucial in Arizona's win over USC as she posted her first double-double as an Arizona Wildcat with season-highs in both points (12) and rebounds (10). 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.
 
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 40.5%. She has made at least three three-pointers in five games this season and needs two more three-pointers to become the 10th player in school history with 100 made three-pointers.
 
Most Made Three-Pointers in Arizona History
6. Julie Brase – 125 (118 games)
7. Natalie Jones – 117 (126 games)
8. Kama Griffits – 110 (56 games)
9. Monika Crank – 106 (118 games)
10. Lucia Alonso – 98 (82 games)
 
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. Last season, Graham had a career year in averaging career highs in both points (8.1 ppg) and rebounds (6.4 rpg). On Jan. 23, it was announced that Graham would be attending the So You Want to be a Coach program in Tampa Bay in April.
 
A Turnaround for the Ages
After winning just six games last season, the Wildcats are already at 14 wins through 20 games. Here is a look at the largest turnarounds from season to season in school history.
 
12 wins
'84-'85 (7-21)
'85-'86 (19-9)
 
11 wins
'94-'95 (11-19)
'95-'96 (22-8)
 
9 wins
'17-'18 (6-24)
'18-'19 (15-7)
 
Lock it Up
The Arizona defense has been swarming so far this season allowing just 60.6 points per game, which is third in the Pac-12 and are allowing opponents to just 37.7% shooting, which is also the third-best mark in 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. Arizona is averaging 9.2 steals per game on the season which is second in the Pac-12 and have two of the top four players in steals per game (McDonald, 2nd and Thomas, 4th). Arizona is the only team in the Pac-12 to have two players in the top five in steals.
 
Keeping them at Bay
Of Arizona's 22 games this season, the Wildcats have held their opponents under their scoring average 17 times. Only Utah, Oregon State, Oregon, USC and UCLA went over their scoring average. UCLA was held under their regular scoring average through four quarters, but the game went to triple overtime, allowing the Bruins to score 98.
 
Winning Big
All but six of Arizona's victories has come by at least 20 points this year and they also have four wins of 30 or more. 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 is the first player in the last 14 seasons to make it into the top 10 in Arizona's single-season scoring list.
   
• Arizona has won 15 games for the first time since the 2011-12 season and have guaranteed an above .500 regular season record for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
   
• McDonald became the first player since Shawntinice Polk ('03-'04) to be named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List.
   
• McDonald is the first in school history to score 30 points six times in one season and was the first in school history to have three-straight 30-point games.
   
• McDonald is the first player in school history to score 500 points in the first 20 games of the season and is the first sophomore in the Pac-12 since the 1999-00 season to do so.
   
• The last time Arizona played in a triple overtime game was during the 2008-09 season and the last time there was a triple overtime game between two Pac-12 teams was back in the 2000-01 season.
   
• The 2010-11 season was the last time Arizona won five of their first 11 conference games.
   
• The Wildcats have beaten two ranked opponents (No. 17 ASU & No. 24 Cal) this season. 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.
   
• The last time Arizona won at least 15 of their first 22 games was back 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.
   
• The Wildcats won their games against South Carolina State, Incarnate Word and Montana by 40+ points, which is the first time Arizona has won three games in one season by at least 40 points.

High-Level Losses
Six of Arizona's seven losses have come against teams in the top 50 in the RPI.
 
4. Stanford
5. Oregon
17. Arizona State
30. Utah
33. Oregon State
47. UCLA
 
Of Arizona's seven losses, only Loyola Marymount and UCLA are not currently ranked in the top 20 in the AP Poll.
 
3. Oregon
7. Oregon State
11. Stanford
17. Utah
20. Arizona State
 
The Key to Victory
Arizona has won the rebounding battle 10 times this season, and in each of those games, the Wildcats have come out victorious. In the 12 games that Arizona's opponent won the rebounding battle, the Wildcats are just 5-7.
 
The Clutch Gene
In the last 30 seconds of the quarter (including overtime periods), Arizona is shooting 33-74 (45%) from the field. There have only been four games in which Arizona did not make at least one shot in the last 30 seconds of a quarter (Portland, Colorado, California and Oregon).
 
Knocking Down the Trey
Arizona has had four games this season where they have made at least 10 three-pointers. Last year, Arizona made 10 or more three-pointers in just two of their 30 games. Aari McDonald (43), Lucia Alonso (30) and Sam Thomas (26) lead the way for Arizona. The Wildcats are one of five teams in the Pac-12 to have three players with at least 26 made three-pointers.
 
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 13.1 turnovers per game in the last 20 games, including just four against Oregon State, which ties the record set last year at Oregon State and six against California which is tied for the second-fewest in school history. The Wildcats have the third-best turnover margin in the Pac-12 with a margin of +3.2 as they force the second-most turnovers per game in the Pac-12 (17.0).
 
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