The week-by-week Big 12 schedule for the Arizona men's basketball team for 2024-25, with times and TV stations.

Arizona showed glimpses of what a dominant duo inside can do as Breya Cunningham and Isis Beh led the Wildcats to a 73-54 win over UT Arlington in the season opener at McKale Center Monday night.

Cunningham scored the first basket of the game off a steal by Beh less than 30 seconds into the game.

It was the first of four steals that Beh would grab.

Arizona Wildcats guard Jada Williams (2) tries to get around UT Arlington Mavericks guard Kendal Robinson (2) in the first half on Nov. 4, 2024.

The two forwards combined for 20 points, 18 rebounds — with Cunningham getting a double-double with 10 and 10.

Cunningham would have to sit after two quick fouls in that first quarter, but did not pick up another foul the rest of the game. This is one area that Cunningham was working on in the offseason as last year she was in foul trouble a lot.

"The coaches reminded us to stay disciplined, keep your hands up; there's no reason for me to have to jump or do extra to get a block," Cunningham said. "Just put my hands up and that'll be enough. Just reminding myself of that and then coming back in and being disciplined."

In the second half, Cunningham showed other areas where her game has grown — on both sides of the court. She scored on back-to-back offensive possessions with less than six minutes left in the game. Cunningham made a move, not dribbling against a much smaller opponent — instead moving around her to score.

In the third quarter on the defensive end, Cunningham helped Montaya Dew with a trap, ran back to her person who then had the ball and forced a travel, with freshman Lauryn Swann moving over to help with the trap.

Beh was getting put backs (3 of her 8 rebounds were offensive) and was perfect from the free throw line (4 of 4). She always seemed to be in the right place forcing something good to happen.

Sahnya Jah and Jada Williams were the other Wildcats in double figures. Mailien Rolf and Paulina Paris added nine apiece and Lauryn Swann chipped in eight points.

Arizona Wildcats guard Paulina Paris (23) makes a drive towards the basket at McKale Center on Nov. 4, 2024.

"(We have) more depth, more scoring options," UA coach Adia Barnes said.

Especially with starters Williams having an off night, going 2 for 15, and Skylar Jones in foul trouble (2 for 5).

The Wildcats led 34-21 at the half and extended the lead in the second half. They went on a 14-point run at the start of the fourth quarter for their largest lead of the game, up by 24 points.

Arizona Wildcats forward Breya Cunningham (25) eyes the basket as she’s defended by UT Arlington Mavericks forward Zoe Nelson (7) on Nov. 4, 2024.

She said it

Beh on being in front of the home crowd again: "It felt good. It's always fun to see our fans, especially after the game, talking to them and going around giving them high fives. Always good energy. Regardless if we would have won or lost, like they're always going to support us. So it's super fun getting to see all them again."

Key moment

In the fourth quarter Jah grabbed a steal and Katarina Knezevic knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner. Cunningham came up with a defensive rebound on the next possession. She added another rebound off a miss by Jah and scored in her second attempt at it. The Wildcats went up 60-36.

Stuffing the stat sheet

Jah: 2 steals, 3 rebounds

Williams: 6 of 6 from the free throw line, 4 turnovers

Rolf: 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Cunningham: 2 blocks

The other side

Koi Love scored 20 points, had five steals and turned the ball over seven times.

By the numbers

40: The Wildcats scored 40 points in the paint

30: Arizona had 30 points from the bench

49: Total fouls in the game. UT Arlington had 25 and Arizona had 24.

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Contact sports reporter PJ Brown at pjbrown@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @PJBrown09