The Arizona Wildcats captured the WNIT title Saturday, beating Northwestern 56-42 in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a Pac-12 women's basketball game.
A record 14,644 fans watched as Aari McDonald scored a game-high 19 points, earning tournament MVP honors. Freshman forward Cate Reese added 13 points and nine rebounds, and was named to the all-tournament team.
#WNIT champs. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MGd2Tk9zAq
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019
Cats hoist the hardware after winning the #WNIT championship. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/p1fRa2GsKS
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019
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Adia Barnes cut down the nets in the 1996 #WNIT championship as a player. Barnes gets to do it again as a head coach for the Wildcats. ✂️ 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VGLayGJztQ
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019
The UA announced the record attendance figure during the second half. The Wildcats had been aiming for a sellout since Wednesday night, when a then-record crowd of 10,135 packed the arena for the WNIT semifinal win over TCU.
The push to sell out McKale went viral on Friday, with coaches, former players and UA alumni voicing their support. Brooklyn Nets standout Rondae Hollis-Jefferson purchased tickets for those wanting to go.
Freshman Cate Reese said the support shows what's special about Arizona.
“I think it just shows the culture we have at UA and we all back each other,” Reese said. “I know if any other team out there was going to a National Championship we would back them, too. I think it’s great to have all the support, not only from the community, but from the teams. It means a lot for us to have that.”
The WNIT championship is Arizona's first since 1996, when Barnes — then a sophomore forward — was the Wildcats' best player.
Watch the Wildcat community wish the team good luck below:
Miles Simon, Jennie Finch and UA community wish Wildcats good luck before WNIT championship
Alumni, others rally behind women's basketball team before WNIT title game
Arizona's Sam Thomas, left, and Dominique McBryde exchange high-fives after a successful run against TCU in the fist quarter of their semifinal game in the WNIT at McKale Center, Wednesday, April 3, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
For the first time since 1996, the Arizona women's basketball team looks to win the WNIT championship and cut down the nets at McKale Center. The Wildcats will battle Northwestern for the crown at noon Saturday.
UA had sold more than 12,000 tickets as of Friday afternoon, exceeding Wednesday's WNIT Final Four game of 10,135, which was a program record. Arizona's magical run has drawn national attention, and some of the biggest names in UA sports history showed support for head coach Adia Barnes and the Wildcats.
Here's who they are:
Channing Frye
So awesome of @Channing_Frye to wish @ArizonaWBB good luck as he’s on his way to his final road game! The Wildcat family is 💪 pic.twitter.com/ktK6ImTYqM
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 6, 2019
Andre Iguodala
Three-time NBA champ @andre is ready to watch @ArizonaWBB play for a championship of their own tomorrow! #BearDown | #MadeForIt pic.twitter.com/jL2jTnGExj
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) April 6, 2019
Jennie Finch
Wildcat Nation is in full swing to back @arizonawbb! Thank you @JennieFinch! #BearDown pic.twitter.com/zB2WJGM6dj
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
Jason Terry
Even more wishes of good luck for @ArizonaWBB as @jasonterry31 has joined in! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/txq2DwYt3H
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
Miles Simon
Support for @ArizonaWBB continues as @milessimon sends good vibes our way 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FEdO0W8nCA
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
UA coaches
🎥 Arizona coaches send @ArizonaWBB messages of support!#WNITChampionship | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/ses4lToZAG
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
Tedy Bruschi
Messages of support continue to pour in from our Wildcat family for @AdiaBarnes and @ArizonaWBB, including this one from @TedyBruschi 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ER5raG4fOs
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
Dee-Dee Wheeler
.@ArizonaWBB letterwinner Dee-Dee Wheeler with a message for the Wildcats 😼#BearDown | #MadeForIt pic.twitter.com/o0MuCtPbGx
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
Reshea Bristol
More words of encouragement coming in from our alums by the minute, this time from former @ArizonaWBB stud @ResheaBristol10! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3eiJjw7JOY
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 6, 2019
Reggie Geary
It’s amazing to see the support for @ArizonaWBB from fans, coaches, and alumni!Here’s one of our own, @ReggieGeary, with a message for the Wildcats! pic.twitter.com/x303Uzpxfd
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
Dave Heeke
Hey @AdiaBarnes and @ArizonaWBB -Good luck, 🐻⬇️, let's go get another one! pic.twitter.com/qyhVCgs1Cv
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 5, 2019
Lance Briggs
So many messages of motivation coming in from our Wildcat family today to support @ArizonaWBB! Thank you @LanceBriggs! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/X4RJdCLxmg
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 6, 2019
C.A.T.S. Academics
Good luck to @AdiaBarnes and @ArizonaWBB from the C.A.T.S. Academics staff! We are so proud of you on and off the court! 🏆#BearDown | #BringyourAgame | #MadeForIt pic.twitter.com/UBrq8xDp2P
— C.A.T.S. Academics (@CATSAcademics) April 5, 2019
