ASU Women’s baskeball: Gears up for Pac-12 competition

(Photo: Nicole Hernandez/WCSN)

No.18 Arizona State basketball is 9-2 and is on a seven game wining streak, as it heads into conference play against No. 13 Stanford at Well Fargo Arena.

ASU has played extremely at Well Fargo Arena, as it is unbeaten at 6-0.

The Sun Devils have not lost a game in the last month, while of couple of those wins have come against top-25 ranked teams. ASU has had nine days of rest since its last game.

Last time out, ASU closed out non- conference play on a high note, defeating Holy Cross 63-33. For the eight time this season, senior forward Sophie Brunner scored in double-digits, scoring 14 points and adding six rebounds. Sophomore Kianna Ibis also played well, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds all off the bench.

Brunner, who averages 11.6 points per contest, leads the scoring charge. The senior forward also leads the team in rebounding, as she pulls down 6.2 per game. Freshman guard Reili Richardson is an offensive contributor, as the second leading scorer, averaging 8.3 points a game. Protecting the middle for the Sun Devils is senior center Quinn Dornstauder, who is averaging 8.2 points per game and 4.9 rebounds.

The Sun Devils have been shooting .46 percent from the floor, while averaging 67.4 points per contest. The program has also been dominating on the boards, pulling down 38 rebounds per game.

ASU has won four of its last five games against Stanford and it swept the regular season series last season for second straight time. The Sun Devils beat the Cardinal on January of 2015 and that was their first win since February of 2006. Also, the first at their house since 1984. Before that victory, Stanford had beaten ASU in the pervious 16 meetings. In addition, the Sun Devils were the first team in the league to sweep the Cardinal in the regular season since 1988.

Last time out, the Cardinal defeated Yale 102-44 on Wednesday. Stanford has won four of its last five games.

Stanford doesn’t struggle to score the basketball, as the Cardinal average 76.1 points per game. The team is shooting .48 percent from the floor.

Arizona State’s defense will have its hands full, as Stanford has four scorers that average double figures. Senior center Erica McCall leads the way averaging 16.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds. The senior center is followed by, junior guard Brittany Mcphe, who scores 14.8 per contest and senior guard Karlie Samuuelson who averages 11.2. Freshmen guard Anna Wilson rounds off the double-digit offensive attack,  averaging 11 points per game.

Both teams struggle shooting the ball from behind the arc.  ASU shoots .29 percent from three, while Stanford does not shoot much better at .32 percent. Expect the teams to rely heavily on their forwards along with the slashing ability from their guards to get closer shots.

All the conference action between ASU and Stanford will begin today in Wells Fargo Arena at 4 p.m. MT.

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