Courtesy of Arizona Communication Services
(TUCSON, AZ) The Arizona Wildcats (9-1) won their eighth-straight game on Monday night at McKale Center over the UTEP Miners (2-8) by a score of 62-40. Four Wildcats scored in double-figures tonight.
Aari McDonald led the way with 15 points and a career-high nine assists. Sam Thomas scored in double-figures for the third-straight game as she poured in 14 points to go along with four steals. She also made a season-high four three-pointers.
Lucia Alonso got hot early and knocked down her first five shots, including three from downtown. She finished the game shooting 5-7 from the field and 3-4 from deep for 13 points. Dominique McBryde also chipped in 10 points.
As a team, the Wildcats forced UTEP to shoot 37% from the field and caused 23 turnovers. Bryce Nixon was a big part in that, collecting a career-high four steals. Arizona finished the game with 23 points off turnovers.
The Wildcats forced 14 first-half turnovers and converted that into 15 points. The three-point shot was the story of the first half, especially in the second quarter as the Wildcats drained six in the second quarter alone. Alonso led all scorers in the first half and was 3-3 from downtown while Thomas made three triples as well. The Cats went to the locker room up 38-17.
The third quarter was a defensive struggle as Arizona held the Miners to six points, but only scored 12 on the offensive end. UTEP finished off the game strong, but the Wildcats were still able to come away with an easy victory.
The Cats will wrap up non-conference play on Friday evening as they take on Northern Arizona at 6:30 p.m. MST.
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