The Arizona women’s basketball team started the season on the right foot with a big win over California State Northridge 87-44.

The Wildcats were led by Aaronette Vonleh and Cate Reese, who both scored 14 points. Sam Thomas was right behind them with 13 points.

The Wildcats had control of the game from the tip-off, leading the whole way after the score was 5-3 and only trailed 19 seconds. 

 Arizona shot the ball 52% (34-65) from the field and 42% (8-19) from behind the arch. Arizona controlled the game by playing defense. In the early parts of the game, Arizona was not scoring the ball well but they got defensive stops and forced CSUN into 16 turnovers. Those turnovers allowed 21 points off of turnovers. 

“We know we are an offensive team, so when we have slow scoring in the first quarter we are not too worried when we are focused on our defense,” Thomas said. “We knew our shots would fall eventually, so we just tried to say,  ’As long as we don’t score and they don’t score, then we are fine.'”

Another key component of the game was the rebounds, Arizona outrebounded CSUN 43-21. On the offensive glass, Arizona outrebounded CSUN 17-6, which gave the Wildcats 22-second chance points. 

Arizona shared the ball very well with a combined 27 assists and only eight turnovers. Shaina Pellington led the team with five assists and right behind her were Bendu Yeaney and Taylor Chavez with four assists each.

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Thomas also broke the Arizona record for most minutes played in a career. 

“It feels really good just to know that I am still here and able to finally break some records, I guess that’s why I took my fifth year, no I’m just kidding,” Thomas said. “But to just be a part of this program and make history with this program, I feel really honored!” said Thomas. 

Arizona’s next game will be in Sioux Falls, S.D. Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m. against number six Louisville. 

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