TUCSON, ARIZ. – The Arizona women's basketball team earned their first ranked win of the season with a commanding 77-62 victory over No. 16 West Virginia on Saturday night at McKale Center.
The Wildcats showcased a balanced offensive attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Sophomore Breya Cunningham led the way with 18 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. Paulina Paris and Skylar Jones each contributed 16 points, with Paris adding five steals and Jones collecting four rebounds. Jada Williams rounded out the top scorers with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Arizona dominated defensively, holding West Virginia to an 8.3% three-point shooting clip, while shooting 49.1% from the field themselves. The Wildcats also capitalized on 24 Mountaineer turnovers, converting them into 19 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cats started strong, leading 17-15 after the first quarter, before erupting for 29 points in the second to take a 46-30 lead into halftime. Arizona had one of their most efficient opening halves shooting 57% from the field, 56% from beyond the arc and 88% from the charity stripe. Although West Virginia chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter, Arizona's defense and sharp shooting sealed the win. The Wildcats' bench contributed 22 points, with Jones scoring 16 of her total points in the second half on efficient 6-of-8 shooting.
Arizona's largest lead of the night came in the fourth quarter, where they stretched the margin to 21 points. The team finished with a stellar 84.2% free-throw shooting performance.
NOTABLES
- Breya Cunningham: Led the Wildcats in scoring for the seventh time this season and recorded her 16th double-figure scoring game. She also reached career milestones with her 500th point and 100th block.
- Jada Williams: Extended her streak of double-digit scoring to 10 games while tying her career-high in rebounds. She also notched her sixth consecutive game of perfect free-throw shooting.
- Paulina Paris: Scored in double figures for the 10th time this season, surpassing 500 career points. She led the team in assists and steals for the sixth time this season.
- Skylar Jones: Logged her 12th double-figure scoring game and continues to approach key career milestones with 426 points, 80 steals, and 76 assists.
- Sahnya Jah: Made a strong return to action, contributing six points.
- Isis Beh: Added three points and four rebounds, nearing career totals of 500 points and 350 rebounds.
- Arizona improved to 14-8 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats remain undefeated against West Virginia, moving to 3-0 all-time.
- Under Head Coach Adia Barnes, Arizona has won 118 of 164 games by 10 or more points and now boasts a 25-52 record against ranked opponents.
- The Wildcats snapped West Virginia's three-game win streak, handing the Mountaineers just their fourth loss of the season. McKale Center was electric, with a season-high attendance of 7,773 fans cheering the Cats to victory.
Arizona will hit the road to face Utah on Friday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. MST.
