Arizona Women’s Basketball advances with tight win over BYU

SAN ANTONIO, TX – It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win no less as the Arizona Women’s Basketball team advances after beating the BYU Cougars 52-46.

Aari McDonald finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals, while Cate Reese added 12 points and five rebounds as the Arizona Women’s Basketball advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 23 years following their 52-46 win over BYU.

Coming in, we knew this was going to be a grind-it-out, low-scoring affair and while it may not have been the prettiest performance for the Wildcats, all that matters in March is winning and advancing and that’s exactly what they did.

Arizona Wildcats

Plagued by poor shooting, Arizona relied on their strength in this one which was defense, holding the Cougars to just 27 percent shooting, all the while forcing 15 turnovers.

From the start, things looked a little rocky for the Cats, perhaps a bit anxious playing for the chance of making their second, Sweet 16 appearance in program history. Climbing to a 12-11 lead after the first quarter, BYU would respond, putting together a solid second quarter, entering halftime with a 25-23 lead.

Finding their stride in the second half, Arizona Women’s Basketball would play from behind ultimately picking up the win.

As we have seen a few times this year, the Wildcats are used to playing from behind before, and despite trailing the Cougars by two at the break, Arizona didn’t seem phased.

However, as Arizona opened up the third quarter, the Wildcats were still unable to buy a bucket. Relying on transition basketball and playing smart to get their shots up, Arizona would eventually erase BYU’s lead, tying the game at 37-37 to end the third.

All coming down to the fourth and final quarter, BYU would open on a 6-2 run, putting the Cougars up 43-39 with 5:13 to play.

Luckily for us, Arizona would respond, quickly erasing BYU’s lead and regaining control in this one. Sparked by back-to-back three’s the Wildcats would regain the lead at 44-43 and wouldn’t look back.

Using stifling defense and clutch offense, Arizona would end the game on a 13-3 run to seal the win and advance to the Sweet 16.

With the win, the Wildcats make it out of the round of 32 for the first time in 23 years and will face No. 2 Texas A&M.

Watch the teams’ highlights from their thrilling, 52-46 win!