ASU Women’s Basketball: Sun Devils exit first round of Pac-12 Tournament with 71-65 loss to USC

(Photo: Marlee Smith/WCSN)

They say ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.’

For ASU Women’s Basketball, the team returns home to Tempe earlier than it had wished. The Sun Devils bowed out in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament on Wednesday after a 71-65 loss to USC at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Sin City.

Riding high off its upset win over No. 9 Arizona just three days ago, ASU felt confident going into the tournament. But its struggles in shooting were apparent from the tip-off, going the opening 4:59 without scoring a point.

“Just a tough game for our young team,” coach Charli Turner Thorne said. “We’ve had a tough time all year long sustaining ourselves. Like we’ll have a good win, and then we’ll have a letup…. I did think we were ready and focused, but we started super super slow. (We) just didn’t throw the first punch and didn’t start punching really until into the second quarter.”

At the end of the first buzzer, the Sun Devils had committed more turnovers (8) than points (7). A 12-0 Trojans run into the opening minutes of the second quarter gave USC a 21-point lead.

After the slow start, the Sun Devils picked up their tempo and began to find the basket. Several 5-0 and 6-0 runs would get the ASU bench on its feet and make a comeback feel within reach. But the Trojans stayed alive and countered every Sun Devil run, hitting quick shots to preserve their lead.

“It was beyond frustrating,” Turner Thorne said. “It was 101 out of a 100 scale, because they [USC] weren’t doing anything special. They were not hitting tough shots; we were just playing soft and not locking in…. You’ve got to know you can’t trade baskets.”

Turner Thorne has relied on her defense for much of the season, but ASU couldn’t stop the Trojans, who shot a season-high 65.2 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc. USC had four players put up double-digit points, led by forward Jordyn Jenkins with 16 points.

The Sun Devils ended the game on a 15-4 run, but the late efforts weren’t enough against the virtually insurmountable lead USC had racked up.

Arizona State played its best in the paint, leading the offensive rebound margin 20-1. Seven of those came from freshman forward Maggie Besselink, who notched her first career double-double and a career-high 13 points.

One Besselink basket came from a highlight-reel play, with a behind-the-back pass from junior guard Iris Mbulito.

“With Iris driving, I knew there was a pass coming, but I didn’t know what kind of pass,” Besselink said. “So I’m thankful that I caught it.”

Junior guard Taya Hanson led the Sun Devils with 15 points, knocking down five shots from long range. The All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention selection showcased her abilities as a leader all season long, finishing the season as the team’s highest scorer.

As for what’s next for the Sun Devils, the loss all but ensures the team won’t make the NCAA Tournament in San Antonio. The team has a chance to receive an at-large berth for the WNIT, which Turner Thorne says they would accept. It would be the sixth time Turner Thorne’s Sun Devils play in the tournament, and their most recent appearance since 2012.

“We’re definitely interested in playing in the NIT, so we’re hopeful to maybe get a bid,” Turner Thorne said. “For this team with no experienced players, that’ll be a great opportunity for us. It aligns with the calendar of the NCAA Tournament, and we just have to get them to understand what March is about.

“Our administration has been real supportive of it and we are hopeful. Given our roster and our situation, it would be a wonderful opportunity for us and the chance to win a championship.”