McDonald scores 27, leads No. 16 Arizona over No. 8 UCLA

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Aari McDonald scored 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting and No. 16 Arizona beat No. 8 UCLA 92-66 on Friday night.

Sam Thomas added 20 points as the Wildcats (17-3, 6-3 Pac-12) got off to a hot start, took a big lead and never allowed the Bruins back into the game.

McDonald, a junior guard from Fresno, California, has scored in double figures in all 57 games of her college career, the longest active streak in the nation. She has 10 20-point games this season.

Michaela Onyenwere had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead UCLA (18-2, 7-2). Guard Charisma Osborne added 14 points.

Arizona’s 92 points were by far the most scored against the Bruins in any game this season.

The Wildcats hit their first seven shots, with McDonald scoring on two layups and a pair of 3-pointers. They didn’t miss until the 3:09 mark of the opening quarter.

McDonald dribbled end to end after a missed shot, scoring on a driving layup, giving Arizona a 17-6 lead with 5:22 left in the first quarter. She then hit two 3s for 23-8 lead.

Arizona took a 27-16 lead into the second quarter with McDonald leading the way with 14 points.

Thomas knocked down three 3s in the second quarter, and the Wildcats led by as many as 20 points, despite just a pair of free throws and a layup from McDonald in the period.

UCLA struggled with Arizona’s aggressive defense, committing nine first-half turnovers and 15 for the game. Kayla Owens hit a 3-pointer with 9 seconds left, helping UCLA cut its halftime deficit to 47-32.

The Bruins made it a 13-point game early in the third, but McDonald drove for another layup and was fouled. Her free throw gave Arizona 56-37 lead at the 7:53 mark.

UCLA went more than nine minutes without making a basket in the the third, and the Wildcats led by as many as 26 points.

McDonald received a standing ovation when she checked out of the game for good with 5:12 left to play.

BIG PICTURE

UCLA: The Bruins have reached the most difficult part of their Pac-12 schedule. Four of their next five opponents are ranked in Top 25, starting with Arizona State on Sunday. Then they’re at No. 6 Stanford, and on Feb. 14 host No. 3 Oregon. Three days after that, they host No. 10 Oregon State.

Arizona: The Wildcats moved to 3-3 against Top 25 teams and got their first win over a Top 10 team this season. Oregon and Oregon State on the road remain on the schedule, along with a home game against Stanford.

UP NEXT

UCLA faces No. 19 Arizona State — a winner in triple overtime over USC earlier Friday — on Sunday afternoon.

Arizona: Hosts USC on Sunday afternoon.