(Photo: Alex Roddier/WCSN)
Behind a 13-2 run to open the second quarter, No. 16 Arizona State (14-6, 5-4) defeated USC (11-8, 1-7), 68-59. The ASU run, which helped the Devils open up a 27-20 lead, gave Charli Turner Thorne’s squad a lead they would not surrender for the remainder of the game.
Following Friday afternoon’s loss to UCLA, Turner Thorne said she was happy with the performance the Sun Devils gave against the Trojans.
“I was really happy with our game today because we were just really tired off of our road trip last weekend,” Turner Thorne said. “I didn’t sub as much so I was just really excited about our bench today.”
Led by Jayde Van Hyfte and Jamie Ruden, who each contributed seven points to the Sun Devil effort, the ASU bench outscored the Trojans 31-14 with 10 players logging entries in the scoring column. The bench provided some much-needed energy, according to Turner Thorne.
“I’ve said all along everybody can score,” Turner Thorne said, “But when we get that kind of defense – I mean we actually got better defensively at times when we subbed.”
With Arizona State’s defensive focus predicated on stopping USC junior guard Minyon Moore, the Sun Devils were able to slow down the Trojans leading scorer on a day where she eclipsed 1,000 career points.
“Well she was the head of the snake. We all knew it,” Turner Thorne said of Moore, who entered the game averaging 14.9 points per game but was held to only eight points on 1-9 shooting against ASU. “We really tried to not let her get penetrating drives and we did a solid job of keeping her in front.”
Down the stretch, Arizona State was able to survive the absence of Kianna Ibis, as the senior forward fouled out of the game with 3:50 remaining and the Devils leading 56-50. Without Ibis, who scored 11 points in the win, ASU outscored USC 12-9 and held on to win.
Next up for the Sun Devils is the second leg of the Territorial Cup. Arizona State will host the Arizona Wildcats on Friday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.
In the first matchup, the Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 51-39 on Dec. 30.
“They are a lot better… and we’re glad they’re a lot better,” Turner Thorne said. “They are doing a great job and that helps both of us. We just know that we didn’t play well [the first time] and so we’re definitely excited to get another shot at them for sure.”
