The University of Arizona women’s basketball team will host the University of California, Irvine in the second game of the regular season on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in McKale Center. The Wildcats look to stay undefeated on the young campaign.

History vs. UC Irvine 

Sunday’s matchup will mark the sixth meeting all-time between the two programs, dating back to 1981. Arizona leads the series record 3-2, winning the last two meetings. The two schools have not played each other since 1994 in Irvine, Calif., where the Wildcats came away with a 73-67 victory.

Anteaters to watch 

UCI is led by senior transfer guard Jada Wynn. The 6-foot-1 guard spent the last two seasons at Texas Tech University. Last season, Wynn averaged just 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds and knocked down 18 threes. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the season-opening win vs the University of San Diego, Wynn finished with 17 points, a game-high seven assists and hauled in six rebounds while going 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

6-foot-2 freshman Nohe’alani Stores is a key player to keep an eye on. The McDonald’s All-American guard by way of Mater Dei High School scored 17 points off the bench against  USD while also bringing in five rebounds and a pair of steals, all while scoring 7-for-8 from the floor.

Wildcats to watch

First-year head coach Becky Burke leads the way for the all-new look Arizona Wildcats. The former head coach at the University of Buffalo led the Bulls last season to a program-record 30 wins and a WNIT title before arriving at Arizona.

Transfer guard Mickayla Purdue comes into Sunday’s game as the focal point of the Wildcats’ offense. The 5-foot-7 Horizon League Player of the Year scored 17 points on 40 percent shooting off the bench in the season-opening win against the University of California, Riverside on Thursday, Nov. 6. 

Junior guard Sumayah Sugapong looks to have a big bounce-back game. Despite putting up 9 points on 1-for-9 shooting in the win against the Highlanders, the University of California San Diego transfer averaged 15 points and 3.7 assists per game for the Tritons last season. 

Sugapong, the Big West Championship Most Outstanding Player, brought in six rebounds and two steals while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Look for the third-year guard to have a big game against a familiar opponent.

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