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Aari McDonald averaged 24.1 points per game last year, and her return is a major reason UA has high expectations. The Wildcats, who ESPN has ranked as the No. 19 team in the country to begin the season, host North Dakota on Nov. 5 in the season opener at McKale Center.

 Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star

AUSTIN, Texas — Aari McDonald set a school record with 44 points and Arizona rolled over No. 22 Texas 83-58 on Sunday.

McDonald surpassed the single-game scoring record of 39 she had shared with Davellyn Whyte (2010), shooting 14 of 18 with two 3-pointers and making all 14 of her free throws.

McDonald had 22 points by halftime when the Wildcats (4-0) took a 38-19 lead. Texas cut the lead by four after three periods, but McDonald scored 16 points in the fourth quarter as Arizona cruised to the finish.

Cate Reese added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Wildcats, who shot 50 percent and scored 23 points off 21 Texas turnovers.

Joyner Holmes had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Charli Collier added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Longhorns (1-2). Both have recorded double-doubles in all Texas’ games this season.

McDonald set Arizona’s single-season scoring record last season and is the nation’s top returning scorer.

Check out photos from Sunday's game here: 

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