(Photo: Marlee Smith/WCSN)
Behind another strong defensive showing for ASU and several scoring bursts throughout the game, the No. 19 Devils took down the Colorado Buffaloes 66-49 on Friday night after having a little more than a week off since their win over Washington State on February 7.
Due to last Saturday’s cancellation against Washington in Seattle, ASU received a couple extra days of rest. The rest proved helpful for the Devils, who had to face a struggling Buffaloes team that is now 1-12 in Pac-12 play.
Senior forward Kianna Ibis led the way for ASU, scoring a team-high 18 points and falling just one rebound shy of a double-double. Senior forward Courtney Ekmark added 14 points as well.
Ibis’ success against Colorado continued after scoring 27 points the last time ASU played Colorado on Jan. 6 in Boulder. The offense was not consistent throughout the entire game, but did enough to fend off scoring outbursts from Colorado.
“We have not played in eight days and we were definitely a little bit rusty,” Ekmark said. “We were super eager to play and now the key for us is to stay on those runs and keep the momentum.”
A 9-0 first quarter run helped the Devils set the tone as they shot 54 percent and led 18-11 after the quarter. With leading scorer Kennedy Leonard out for a tenth straight game due to injury, the Buffaloes only shot 33 percent from the field in the first half and did not find much flow to their offense, often relying on trips to the free-throw line. But out of the Buffaloes’ 26 free throw attempts, only 13 went in.
For ASU, its biggest run was midway in the fourth quarter. With 6:50 to go in the game and Colorado hanging around down 55-44, the Devils pounded the ball inside and it helped spur an 11-0 run that gave ASU a 22 point lead at the 2:30 mark; its largest lead of the game.
“We were matched up, one on one in the post and we could at least get action off of that. At times, it was better,” head coach Charli Turner Thorne said.
Even though Ibis did not have her best shooting night from the field (5-14 FG), her impact was definitely felt on the boards and on defense. In addition to nine rebounds, Ibis recorded two blocks and a steal, showing her all-around ability on both sides of the ball.
“Every time I’m having an off night with shooting, Charli always tells me to get it done somewhere else on the floor,” Ibis said. “Our whole team and I really take defense to heart and I just really try to lock them down as best as I can.”
With the Devils now on a four game winning streak, the team has a chance to extend that streak to five as Utah comes into town on Sunday afternoon. As of Friday, Utah is sixth in the Pac-12 standings with a conference record of 7-6 and have lost five games in a row.
“We approach every game the same exact way no matter if it is a top team in the Pac-12 or a bottom team in the Pac-12,” Ekmark said. “I’m sure they are going to be hungry for a win and wanting revenge and we are going to be bringing it also.”
ASU can sweep the season series over the Utes with a win on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MST from Wells Fargo Arena.
