Arizona knows that to beat a team like Stanford, it has to play team ball — and keep battling to the bitter end. And even then, it’s not a given that you’ll win. Right?

The Wildcats remembered what happened a year ago, when — with less than 30 seconds left in the game — Stanford hit a 3-pointer in what would be a two-point win.

Facing deja vu Friday night, the Wildcats proved that things — and times — have changed.

Star guard Aari McDonald drove to the basket with less than 10 seconds left and hit the game-winning layup, and the No. 13 Wildcats beat the fourth-ranked Cardinals 73-72 Friday at McKale Center.

“Going down the stretch against Tara and in overtime is always scary because they just find a way to win big games,” Arizona coach Adia Barnes said. “We found a way to gut it out — we rebounded better in the second half. I just thought it was a great win with different people stepping up. Just a huge win with four players in double digits. …I think we continue to say leave a legacy. And that's what we do. I'm just so proud of just the way we fought.”

It is the first time Arizona has beaten a top five team ever. The Wildcats snapped an eight-game losing streak to Stanford.

Arizona improves to 23-5 overall and 12-5 in Pac-12 play, drastically improving its chances of hosting first- and second-round NCAA Tournament. games. Stanford drops to 24-5, 13-4.

McDonald, playing after missing the last two games with a lower leg injury, had a chance to play the hero in regulation.

With 21 seconds left in regulation, McDonald drove to the basket and drew a foul. She knocked down both free throws to tie the game at 63.

Stanford took a timeout. Helena Pueyo got a hand on the inbound pass and Amari Carter tapped it off Nadia Fingall, giving Arizona the ball with 13.2 seconds left.

Stanford allowed McDonald, who was wearing a heavy brace on her left leg, to take an open jumper from the top of the key as time expired. It rimmed out.

That didn’t deter McDonald, who scored 13 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime periods. She kept on fighting. Even in the overtime when she turned the ball over with :42 left in overtime.

“I was like ‘OK, time to score,’" McDonald said. “So, we got to (get the) stop and convert it. I didn’t hang my head — it was just next play. It was gutsy. I knew my team needed that.”

Arizona forward Sam Thomas (14) uses a screen to get by Stanford guard Lacie Hull (24) in their Pac12 basketball game at McKale Center, February 28, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.

Thomas scored 17 points and added a big block in overtime, two steals and six assists. Dominique McBryde had 13 points, one block and one steal; and Pueyo chipped in 11 points and two steals.

In the fourth quarter, Thomas hit a 3-pointer from the corner to tie it up at 52. McDonald raced the length of the court and scored to give Arizona a 54-52 lead. Then, after a little back and forth, Stanford pulled ahead 62-59.

The Wildcats were sparked by an 11-point third quarter from McBryde, who hit a jumper and a few 3s as her teammates kept feeding the hot hand. Arizona ended the quarter down 47-42.

This win was extra special for McBryde.

“I don't know if everyone saw her emotions after the end of the game,” Thomas said of McBryde. “She's been harping all the time she's been here how badly she wants to be Stanford. At Purdue, they played three times or something like that once in the NCAA tournament — they lost. She really just wanted to win. And then of course, last year, the last shot happened, and that was awful. So, to come back and win this at home with all our fans and family. It was awesome.”

The defense was turned up the entire game, forcing numerous shot clock violations and travels, while narrowing the passes lanes and altering shots.

Semaj Smith had two big blocks in the first half. After three quarters, the Wildcats had nine steals – just shy of their 10.9 average per game.

Both teams started slow on the offensive end. With less than four minutes left in the first quarter the shots started falling for Arizona.

Arizona forward Sam Thomas (14) yells after nailing a long distance three against Stanford in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter of their Pac12 basketball game at McKale Center, February 28, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.

Pueyo started it off an 11-4 run with a three. McBryde intercepted the ball in the passing lane, passed to McDonald who missed a jumper, but got the offensive rebound and ended up knocking down a jumper at the free throw line. McDonald, Thomas and Smith all made baskets — and Pueyo hit another 3, this one from the corner and Arizona had an 18-11 lead after the first quarter.

After missing four shots in the first quarter, Kiana Williams found her groove and scored 13 of Stanford’s 15 points in the second frame. She helped the Cardinal pull within two points at halftime.

Arizona kept the rebounding battle close in the first — only down 12-7 — and limiting Stanford to only one shot per possession. This flipped in the second, as UA only collected five more rebounds while Stanford had 10.

After 20 minutes of play, Stanford was shooting 40% and UA shot 36.7%.

Twelve of Arizona’s 28 points came in the paint.

Pueyo led all Wildcats in the first half with eight points.

For the Wildcats, beating one of the sport's elite programs is a game-changer.

“I think now moving forward, because this is a huge confidence builder — I think when you beat No. 4 team in the country, you have momentum going to the Pac 12 Tournament and going into the NCAA Tournament," Barnes said. "You're going to believe you can beat anybody. And I think that's where we're at right now."

Check out photos from Friday's game here:

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