The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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.Â
champs. ðŸ†
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
Cats hoist the hardware after winning the championship. ðŸ†
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
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Adia Barnes cut down the nets in the 1996 championship as a player. Barnes gets to do it again as a head coach for the Wildcats. âœ‚ï¸ ðŸ†
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)
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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.Â
“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.â€
The WNIT championship is ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'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
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
For the first time since 1996, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'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.Â
Here's who they are:
Channing Frye
So awesome of to wish good luck as he’s on his way to his final road game! The Wildcat family is 💪
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Andre Iguodala
Three-time NBA champ is ready to watch play for a championship of their own tomorrow! |
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Basketball (@APlayersProgram)
Jennie Finch
Wildcat Nation is in full swing to back ! Thank you !
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Jason Terry
Even more wishes of good luck for as has joined in! ðŸ»â¬‡ï¸
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Miles Simon
Support for continues as sends good vibes our way ðŸ»â¬‡ï¸
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
UA coaches
🎥 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coaches send messages of support! |
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Tedy Bruschi
Messages of support continue to pour in from our Wildcat family for and , including this one from ðŸ»â¬‡ï¸
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Dee-Dee Wheeler
. letterwinner Dee-Dee Wheeler with a message for the Wildcats 😼 |
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Reshea Bristol
More words of encouragement coming in from our alums by the minute, this time from former stud ! ðŸ»â¬‡ï¸
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Reggie Geary
It’s amazing to see the support for from fans, coaches, and alumni!Here’s one of our own, , with a message for the Wildcats!
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Dave Heeke
Hey and -Good luck, ðŸ»â¬‡ï¸, let's go get another one!
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
Lance Briggs
So many messages of motivation coming in from our Wildcat family today to support ! Thank you ! ðŸ»â¬‡ï¸
— ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Athletics (@AZATHLETICS)
C.A.T.S. Academics
Good luck to and from the C.A.T.S. Academics staff! We are so proud of you on and off the court! 🆠| |
— C.A.T.S. Academics (@CATSAcademics)
