Arizona women’s basketball traveled to Austin, Texas, and blew out the No. 22 Texas Longhorns by a final score of 83-58. The Wildcats played efficient basketball from start to finish, shooting 50% from the field, 42.9% from three and 87% from the free throw line.

The Wildcats also won the turnover ratio, turning the ball over only 9 times compared to the Longhorns’ 21. Although this was a huge victory for Arizona, advancing their record to 4-0 and coming a step closer to being nationally-ranked, it was Aari McDonald who stole the show today.

McDonald broke Arizona’s single-game scoring record, dropping 44 points (14-for-18 from the field) while sinking all 14 free throws attempted and knocking down 2 three-pointers. She also added 5 rebounds and an assist on what has easily been the best college game of her career.

Cate Reese also had a stellar game, scoring 17 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. The team overall played great defense, accumulating 10 steals on the day. Not only were they able to turn the ball over, but they also capitalized by scoring 23 points off turnovers.

The game was evenly matched during the second and third quarters, but it was the beginning and end to the game that set the teams apart. During the first and fourth quarters combined, the Wildcats outscored the Longhorns 57-32, shooting 19-for-30 (63%) from the field. With Arizona only shooting an overall 34.6% from three, they relied heavily on the fast break, scoring 19 points in transition.

With the Wildcats sending a message to the rest of the country that they should be taken seriously this year, they will carry this momentum in their next game on Wednesday against the Prairie View A&M Panthers at the McKale Center at 11 a.m. MST.

Follow Dan Philipsborn on Twitter