Watch: 10 best things Arizona Wildcats said after advancing to the WNIT Elite Eight

UA holds on to beat Idaho 68-60 in WNIT Sweet 16

Arizona remained alive in the WNIT after is held off beat Idaho 68-60 in front of a crowd of 6,307 fans at McKale Center on Thursday. 

Star sophomore Aari McDonald led the UA in scoring with 18 points on 8 of 18 shooting from the field to go along with 11 assists. Sam Thomas had 13 points, but took charge on the defensive end with six steals, two blocks and five rebounds. 

The Wildcats jumped out to a 12-point lead in the second quarter, but Idaho pulled with two points with 2:47 left in the third. McDonald busted open her lip when she collided with an Idaho player, but would return later.

Arizona stay home at McKale Center to face Wyoming at 2 p.m. Sunday for a chance to advance to the WNIT Final Four. UA head coach Adia Barnes, Thomas and McDonald spoke to the media following Thursday's win, here's what they had to say. 

McDonald explains the hard collision that caused her to bust her lip

Aari McDonald got into a collision and busted her lip in the win over Idaho. #WNIT “It hurt a lot honestly. I thought she knocked my teeth out.” pic.twitter.com/Gu1vC7461o

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

Pulling away and overcoming Idaho's zone defense

Aari McDonald on allowing Idaho to cut the lead to 2 points, and Sam Thomas on facing the zone defense: pic.twitter.com/SAjqNyDtPX

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

An essential defensive contribution from Sam Thomas

Sam Thomas on her 6 steals and 2 blocks in the Sweet 16 win over Idaho: #WNIT pic.twitter.com/AkcRZYCXvD

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

Coach Barnes speaks on Thomas' performance

Arizona head coach Adia Barnes on Sam Thomas’ 6 steals and 2 blocks in the win over Idaho: #WNIT pic.twitter.com/L1RekROBXn

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

Feeling the energy from McKale Center fans

Adia Barnes on the crowd of 6,307 fans at McKale Center: “The crowd made a difference and helped us win this game.”Barnes is challenging Tucson to bring in 7,000 fans for Sunday’s Elite Eight game against Wyoming. #WNIT pic.twitter.com/mSsjKYSnaf

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

The team's mindset heading into the matchup with Idaho

Adia Barnes on the game plan for today’s win over Idaho: #WNIT pic.twitter.com/SBsC5oZjSc

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

Home sweet home

Adia Barnes on the benefits of hosting the Elite Eight at McKale Center on Sunday: pic.twitter.com/SUTve3NdjX

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

Arizona's third-quarter crutch

Adia Barnes says “3rd quarter has been our nemesis all year.”Idaho cut Arizona’s lead down to 2 points with 2:47 left in the 3rd quarter. pic.twitter.com/gauaLHbic2

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

Two offensive leaders at point guard

Adia Barnes on allowing Lucia Alonso and Aari McDonald to have more freedom controlling the offense: #WNIT pic.twitter.com/fo6AJLjwEn

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019

The hottest ticket in town

Adia Barnes on Tucson’s support for @ArizonaWBB: #WNIT “It’s about this school and what’s going on, and right now we’re the thing that’s going on. ... I think the atmosphere here was awesome.” pic.twitter.com/f1g3nI0iiS

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 29, 2019