Information for this report provided by the Arizona media relations department.
Coming off a hard-fought victory over No. 24 California, the Arizona Wildcats (13-2, 3-1 Pac-12) will host No. 6 Stanford (13-1, 3-0 Pac-12) on Sunday in McKale at noon on the Pac-12 Networks.
Former Arizona coach Joan Bonvicini will provide the analysis and Cindy Brunson the play-by-play. The game will also be on 1400-AM.
With the win over Cal, Arizona has defeated two ranked opponents this year. The Wildcats beat then-No. 17 ASU on Dec. 30. The last time Arizona beat two ranked opponents in one season, as well as two in a row, was during the 2002-03 season.
Arizona will look for its first win over a top-10 team in 15 years when it hosts No. 6 Stanford on Sunday (Arizona Athletics photo)
NCAA’s Leading Scorers (as of Friday’s games)
1. Aari McDonald (Arizona): 26.1
2. Megan Gustafson (Iowa): 25.93
3. Cierra Dillard (Buffalo): 25.92
Aari McDonald, the nation’s leading scorer with 26.1 points per game, has scored 30 points in three straight games after having 36 against Cal on Friday. She is the first Pac-12 player since Kelsey Plum (2016-17) to score at least 30 points in three straight games.
Arizona coach Adia Barnes recruited and has coached both Plum and McDonald. McDonald is the first Arizona player since Barnes (1997-98) to score 30 points in five games in one season.
Arizona is looking to break a six-game losing streak against the Cardinal and the Wildcats will go for their first win over a top-10 team since beating No. 7 Stanford in 2004.
Div. I Players, Most Recent Streaks of 3+ Games with 30+ Points
Aari McDonald, Arizona, 3, 01/04/2019 – 01/11/2019
Mikayla Ferenz, Idaho, 3, 11/23/2018 – 12/01/2018
Terriell Bradley, North Texas, 3, 11/24/2018 – 12/01/2018
Randi Brown, New Orleans, 3, 02/25/2017 – 03/04/2017
Kelsey Plum, Washington, 4, 01/06/2017 – 01/15/2017
The Wildcats have a chance because of their defense, especially at McKale Center. They are one of nine teams in the nation to allow fewer than 53 points per game and are the only team in the Pac-12 to do so. Opponents are averaging only 46.4 points in nine games against Arizona at McKale this season.
Stanford is coming off a tough 72-65 win at Arizona State on Friday. The Cardinal have won seven in a row, including wins over Baylor and Tennessee. They are led by Alanna Smith, who averages 19.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Kianna Williams and DiJonai Carrington also score in double figures at 14 points and 13 points per game, respectively.
Legendary head coach Tara Vanderveer is three wins away from 900 career victories at Stanford. Vanderveer coached against Barnes when Barnes played for Bonvicini. Now, she is coaching against Barnes.
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