TUCSON, Ariz. – In front of the largest crowd of the season at McKale Center, 6,307 fans saw the Arizona Wildcats (21-13) advance to the WNIT Quarterfinals with a 68-60 win over Idaho (22-12) on Thursday night. Aari McDonald had a double-double with 18 points and a career-high 11 assists.
 
McDonald is the first player since Davellyn Whyte in 2013 to have double-figure assists in a game as she recorded her fifth double-double of the season. The sophomore had a hand in 19 of Arizona's 26 made baskets.
 
Cate Reese was once again efficient from the field as she score 14 points on 6-8 shooting. Sam Thomas scored 13 points, but was an absolute menace on the defensive end, swiping a career-high six steals. Tee Tee Starks rounded out Arizona's double-figure scorers with 11 points while shooting 3-6 from three.
 
The Wildcats took care of the ball on Thursday night, turning it over only eight times and forced 15 Idaho turnovers. Arizona used those 15 turnovers to create 20 points. Although Idaho won the rebounding battle, Arizona dominated points in the paint, outscoring the Vandals 36-16 down low.
 
It was a tightly contested first quarter as Arizona outscored the Vandals just 19-16, but the Wildcats would extend their lead to 10 at the half after outscoring Idaho 17-10 in the second quarter. Although McDonald only had four points, she had a hand in 12 of Arizona's first 14 baskets as she dished out eight assists.
 
Only 25 points were scored in the third quarter, but Arizona was able to maintain a nine-point lead heading into the fourth. From the end of the third quarter to the first half of the fourth quarter, Arizona went on a 16-0 run and extended their lead to 18 at one point, but Idaho went on a run of their own and cut it to six late.
 
In the end it wasn't enough as Arizona was able to come away with their 21st win of the season.
 
Next up will be the quarterfinals against Wyoming on Sunday, March 31 at 2 p.m. MST in McKale Center.

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