TUCSON, Ariz. — It wasn't the greatest offensive start of the season for preseason All-American guard Aari McDonald, who watched her first four shots clang off the rim and her Wildcats fall into an early hole.
But she found other ways to affect the game, adding a couple assists and also a few steals. By the end of the afternoon, her high-scoring ways had returned and No. 7 Arizona was well on its way to a 76-63 victory over Northern Arizona on Sunday.
In the process, McDonald learned she doesn't have to be a superhero every game for the Wildcats to win.
"My teammates this year are making my job much easier," McDonald said. "I can focus on other things, like I can communicate, I can lockdown on defense. But I'm not satisfied about my performance today or the whole team's. We've definitely got some improving to do."
Cate Reese scored a game-high 21 points and McDonald added 18 and Arizona won its only scheduled non-conference game of the season.
McDonald scored in double figures for a 67th straight game, which is the nation's longest active streak. She made just 6 of 17 of her shots but finished with eight assists, seven rebounds and six steals.
The Wildcats struggled from long range, missing their first seven 3-pointers before McDonald knocked one down late in the third quarter. But Arizona compensated with a dominant performance inside, scoring 60 points in the paint. The 6-foot-2 Reese shot 9 of 13 from the field.
"I thought she played really good," Arizona coach Adia Barnes said. "I'm not surprised at all. Cate's improved so much. She played today like she does every day in practice."
