Arizona Women’s Basketball hangs on for 11th straight win

BOULDER, CO- Arizona Women’s Basketball (12-1, 2-0) extends winning streak to 11 games after tough win over the Colorado Buffaloes (10-3, 0-2).

It was an absolute battle in Boulder as the Arizona Women’s Basketball team extended their winning streak to 11 games, beating Colorado by a 69-67 final.

Sophomore Aari McDonald turned in another spectacular performance, finishing the game with 32 points, five rebounds and four assists, as the Wildcats improved to 2-0 in the conference.

Arizona Wildcats

Since losing to Loyola Marymount in heartbreaking fashion, the Wildcats have been on a roll! Winners of 10 straight entering Friday evening’s game, the Wildcats were fresh off an upset of then No. 17 rival ASU.

Arizona had played well from start-to-finish in that game and were looking to carry their momentum against the Buffaloes.

From the start, the Wildcats got to work early, jumping to a 13-7 lead after McDonald had connected on a three-pointer with 5:42 to go in the first. Colorado would try to battle back, but Arizona closed out the first quarter on a 6-3 run to lead 19-10.

Needing another strong quarter, this one would be back and forth by both teams. Arizona would extend their lead to as many as 14 in the quarter, leading 36-22 with 3:07 left to go in the half.

However, the Buffaloes wouldn’t go quietly, finishing the quarter on a 9-4 run to trail 40-31. McDonald would lead all Wildcat scorers with 15 points at the break.

Colorado would start hot to begin the second half. Trailing by nine, the Buffaloes would go on a 17-8 run in the first six minutes of the quarter to tie it at 48-48.

The Buffaloes would take the lead on their ensuing possession after a pair of converted free throws. Colorado would end the quarter on a 9-6 run to lead 57-54 after three.

Needing to Bear Down, Arizona would respond by putting together a gritty, fourth quarter performance. Arizona would take the lead, albeit briefly at 60-58, but Colorado would again extend their lead to 65-62 with 3:05 left to play.

Luckily, the Wildcats would finish the game on a 7-2 run, to steal the 69-67 win on the road. McDonald finished the game with 32 points, meanwhile Lucia Alonso finished with 12 points and two assists, and Sam Thomas ended the game with 11 points of her own.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 12-0 (2-0) on the year and will wait to take on Utah (12-1, 1-1) on Sunday.

At Zona Zealots, we’re proud of the way our Wildcats responded, especially with their backs against the wall to come away victorious! Bear Down, Arizona!