ASU Women’s Basketball: On the road completing the series sweep of Cal

(Photo: Eliav Gabay/WCSN)

No. 18 Arizona State University women’s basketball team fought hard, defeating Cal 54-45 and completed the series sweep over the Golden Bears.

The Sun Devils and the Golden Bears both played stifling defense, as the score was only 4-2 through the first six minutes of the first quarter.

The Sun Devils continued to get the ball into the post and senior center Quinn Dornstauder hit a tough turn around hook shot, making the score 6-6.

With only seconds remaining in the first quarter, senior guard Courtney Range dribbled the ball the length of the floor and made a running floater off the glass. Range’s basket gave her six points and the Golden Bears a 10-9 lead heading into the second quarter.

The first possession of the second quarter, freshman Robbi Ryan hit a three pointer, giving ASU the one point lead.

Head coach Charli Turner Throne called a quick timeout after Cal’s Mi’Cole Cayton and Asha Thomas rattled off four points combined. Those two buckets gave the Bears the early 14-12 lead.

ASU and Cal did not struggle to score in the second quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, senior forward Sophie Brunner hit a tough turn around jumper and gave her team the 20-17 advantage.

Cal’s defense was flying around, applying a tough full-court press and turned an ASU turnover into two points taking back the lead.

Late in the second half, ASU’s offense struggled, as they did not score a basket in  4:40 seconds.

The Sun Devils shot 29 percent from the floor in the first half, while their opponent put in 43 percent of their shots.

The Bears finished the second quarter strong and sustained a four-point advantage heading into halftime leading 24-20.

Early in the third quarter, Thomas continued shooting well, draining a three-pointer and pusing the lead to six.

However, the Sun Devils came roaring back, scoring five points and cutting the lead to just one point, 26-27.

Halfway through the third quarter, Cal found ASU sleeping on defense and found junior guard Mikayla Cowling streaking back door for an easy layup.

With a couple of minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Sun Devils scored four straight points and cut the Cal lead to just one point agian.

The Sun Devils closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run and held tight to 36-35 lead heading into the final quarter of the contest.

The Sun Devils forced their opponent to turnover the ball twice, while converting baskets off both of those Cal miscues.

Late in third quarter, The Golden Bears were forced  to play without their leading scorer and rebounder after sophomore Kristine Anigwe fouled out.

A couple possessions later, Brunner hit a timely three-pointer and put her team up 45-42 with 3:20 remaining in the final quarter.

After Anigwe fouled out, the Sun Devils were rolling offensively, going on a 7-0 run and eventually clinching the nine point victory.

The Sun Devils will be back in action against Stanford on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. MST to conclude their road trip.

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

Chaz Frazier

Recent Posts

Kennedy Basham impresses on both ends of the floor in Sun Devil debut

(Photo credit: Aishling Cavanaugh/WCSN) TEMPE — As a cluster of fans gathered near the Arizona…

3 hours ago

Skinner’s career night propels ASU to narrow victory in season opener

(Photo credit: Aishling Cavanaugh/WCSN) TEMPE — With Desert Financial Arena buzzing, Arizona State found itself…

14 hours ago

Sun Devils prepare for Big 12 debut in Adair’s third year

(Photo credit: Marina Willams/WCSN) Excitement is brewing for Arizona State women’s basketball as the Sun…

1 day ago

Sun Devils put up complete performance in fall exhibition against GCU

(Photo: Maya Diaz/WCSN) As warmup music echoed throughout GCU ballpark, baseball bats pinged and cleats…

2 days ago

Takeaways: Sun Devils Clinch Bowl Eligibility With Win Over Oklahoma State

With 22 seconds remaining in the first half Arizona State football found itself a single…

3 days ago

No. 13 Sun Devils Extend Win Streak to 10, Earn Season Sweep Over No. 22 Utah

(Photo: Katherine Gore/WCSN) In a match one month ago, No. 13 Arizona State Volleyball won…

3 days ago