Cate Reese goes up on Michelle Duchemin for 2 of her game-high 14 points. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson Photos)
No. 15 Arizona took care of Cal State Northridge (CSUN) 87-44 Tuesday night in front of 6,154 fans and that number included a very special guest in All-American Aari McDonald. The Wildcat fans were already visibly enjoying another huge win in person but the appearance of McDonald on the large screen above the court, combined with the announcement that McDonald will be included in the McKale Memorial Center Ring of Honor, sent the crowd to a boisterous standing ovation.
McDonald’s appearance seemingly made time stand still for a brief moment as the current group of Wildcats diverted their attention away from head coach Adia Barnes during a team huddle at mid court towards the direction of McDonald sitting court side before returning to listen to their game instructions. From one bright star to another, only McDonald and Barnes could command that sort of attention from fellow athletes. Sam Thomas will join that elite group soon. Count on it.
No one in the history of Arizona Women’s Basketball has played more minutes (4,248) in a Wildcat uniform than Thomas and, come Friday against Louisville, her jersey will be in the center circle for the opening tip-off more than anyone else before her as the all-time start leader at 127 games. A super-senior with a spot reserved for her on the Naismith Award watch list, Thomas made two straight 3-pointers to help break the game open early and one had a feeling the crowd was forever on her side after the second one found nothing but net.
Thomas finished with 13 points on 5 for 7 shooting that included 3 for 5 from beyond the arc and she did all that in only 18 minutes on the court. The Wildcats led 15-5 after the first quarter and 32-13 at the half so Barnes was once again free to experiment on her playing rotations and one could see her counting on the fingers which players would get in and 15 saw the court with 12 scoring, but all contributed in some positive way.
Senior Cate Reese (6-2) led the team with 14 points as did freshman Aaronette Vonleh (6-3). Senior forward Ariyah Copeland added nine points and sophomore forward Lauren Ware (6-5) had …….