SALT LAKE CITY — Sam Thomas scored a career-high 31 points and No. 11 Arizona, missing its leading scorer, still rolled past Utah 85-69 on Friday night.
Aari McDonald, who was ranked eighth in the nation at 20.5 points per game and with a streak of 62 consecutive games scoring in double figures, missed the matchup with a lower leg injury and is day-to-day.
Thomas, a junior, made 8 of 13 shots and all 13 of her free throws for the Wildcats (22-4, 11-4 Pac-12), who won their fourth straight game and have won 22 regular-season contests for the first time since 2003-04. They also have 11 conference wins for the first time since 2004-05.
Lucia Alonso added 14 points, Dominique McBryde 12 and Cate Reese 11. Arizona shot 50% overall, made 10 of 19 from the arc and 23 of 26 free throws.
Brynna Maxwell made 5 of 8 from the arc and scored 22 points with five assists while Dru Gylten scored 16 points for the Utes (12-14, 5-10), who have lost three in a row.
Alonso scored 12 points and Thomas 11 in the first half when Arizona took a 43-30 lead. The Utes were within seven points early in the fourth quarter when the Wildcats went on a 13-0 run to go op 80-60 with 4½ left.
