Arizona Women’s Basketball incredible winning streak ends

Arizona Women’s Basketball incredible winning streak ended against No.10 ranked UCLA, but this team has plenty to be proud of.

19-0. The longest win streak in college basketball. That was the record of the Arizona Women’s Basketball team since last season when they on to win the WNIT. 13-0 this season was their record until they lost to the No.10 ranked UCLA Bruins on the road 70-58. Even with the loss, they still have plenty to be proud of this season (and they aren’t done yet!)

In the 13 games won this season, they dominated at home and on the road. For the majority of their non-conference season, the average margin of victory was almost 30+ points per game, that’s crazy! One of the main reasons for that and for the 19-0 win streak this program has been one can be contributed to one person, Aari McDonald.

She currently leads the Pac-12 in points per game with 20.1. Against Texas, she scored a career-high 44 points. That win against a ranked team on the road propelled the Wildcats into the Top 25. They are now currently ranked No.18 in the nation. The loss against the Bruins will impact their rankings slightly, but not too much considering at the time the Bruins were ranked No.10 in the country.

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It hasn’t been just McDonald, but others as well that have stepped up during this win streak. Cate Reese, Sam Thomas, and Helena Pueyo just to name a few that have been helping the Wildcats get the W and bang that drum! What’s been even more incredible is that they have been without one of their key players, Dominique McBryde, for six games due to injury. Goes to show how deep and talented this team is.

Once McBryde gets back in the lineup, watch out. This team has a real shot of not just making the NCAA Tournament but hopefully winning a couple of games. It won’t be an easy road to get there, especially with how stacked the Pac-12 is, but as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Besides having talented players who can shoot, this team has been playing some stellar defense. They are 4th in the conference with their opponents having a field goal percentage of 37.4%. Contesting every shot and blocking a lot as well (they ranked 2nd in the conference with 4.3 per game) has given them the edge on defense all season long.

Two other states that stand out this season are defensive rebounding  and free-throw shooting. They do need to improve on the offensive glass, but on defense, they rank 3rd in the conference. At the free-throw line, they ranked 1st, shooting 80.4%. That has helped a lot!

The Wildcats are now 13-1 on the season, 2-1 in conference play and face another top-ranked team, Oregon State, at home. Time to pack McKale Center and get loud!

At Zona Zealots, we are extremely proud of what Arizona Women’s Basketball has accomplished. Going on a 19 game winning streak, over the course of two seasons is no easy task. Keep you head up ladies, still plenty of basketball to be played and games to win! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!