Smothering defense leads Wildcats to 35-point win over Stony Brook in NCAA Tournament opener

Arizona's win came in thei first NCAA Tournament appearance in 16 years. The 35-point margin of victory is the largest for the Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament, surpassing a 22-point win over Western Kentucky in 1997.

Arizona advances to play 11th-seeded BYU in Wednesday's second round. The Cougars pulled off the first upset of the tournament on Monday, beating Rutgers 69-66.

The Wildcats' smothering full-court defense forced 25 turnovers — 13 in the first half, including nine steals — and converted it into 25 points. All-Pac-12 forward Sam Thomas, an all-conference defensive selection, tied her career-high with six steals. The Wildcats finished with 17 steals.

Star guard Aari McDonald, who was named a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist hours before the game, led the way with 20 points on 8 for 14 shooting from the field, four assists, three steals and four turnovers. 

In the opening minutes, Stony Brook led 4-2, but that quickly dissipated in the final 18:51 of the first half. The Wildcats received fruits from their suffocating defensive labor and opened up a 15-2 run in the first quarter, and capped the first period with an Helena Pueyo buzzer-beating 3-pointer. 

Despite Stony Brook out-rebounding Arizona 17-15 in the first half, Arizona out-scored the Sea Wolves 30-6 in the paint and had 14 points off the bench to take a 47-20 lead. 

Arizona's first-half cushion was beneficial for Arizona considering the Wildcats only out-scored Stony Brook 13-12 in the third quarter — 19-12 in the fourth period. Arizona stayed out of reach and cruised to a 79-44 win.  

Making her NCAA Tournament debut, Cate Reese recorded 16 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes. Senior forward Trinity Baptiste finished with 18 points on 8 for 10 shooting and five rebounds.

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