(Photo: Susan Wong/WCSN)
Arizona State Women’s Basketball battled and extended its season for one more game with a 50-39 triumph over Missouri in the WNIT Fort Worth Regional consolation bracket.
Arizona State’s defense was assertive, taking away the transition and keeping pressure on Missouri’s top scorers. The Tigers, who average 74.8 points per game, were held to a season-low.
“We did a good job in a very short time of knowing what they wanted to do and taking it away,” head coach Charli Turner Thorne said. “We definitely made them uncomfortable early.”
After a frustrating first-round loss to Rice on Friday, the Sun Devils came out energetic and set the pace of the game early. They established a 10-6 lead in the first quarter that they would hold on to for the rest of the contest.
Freshman guard Jaddan Simmons led the offense and contributed in all areas with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Simmons was able to find successful cuts and drew plenty of contact, shooting 8-10 from the free throw line.
“I think she’s had an amazing freshman campaign,” Turner Thorne said. “Of course there’s been ups and downs, and I think she really responded well from yesterday’s game.”
Arizona State kept the game a low-scoring affair, an atmosphere they thrive in. Off of its stout defense, the Sun Devil offense rallied, putting its energy and tempo on full display.
After imploding in the fourth quarter against Rice where they shot 2-20, the Sun Devils took over in the final minutes against Missouri, going on a 7-0 run to go up double-digits and keeping their season alive.
“When this team stays positive, they find a way to win. They just do,” Turner Thorne said.
Junior Taya Hanson wasn’t ready to go home, saying the team came to Fort Worth to win. The guard found her groove from long range and shot 4-7 from beyond the arc in a 12-point performance.
“We just played with our hearts today,” Hanson said. “It was a full team effort. Everyone was working their butts off. We were playing great team defense and just coming down and getting our own boards, hitting shots like we know we can do. I’m really proud of our team’s efforts today.”
The Tigers were led by guard Haley Troup, who posted 14 points. Missouri shot more efficiently than Arizona State, but 16 turnovers set them back, allowing the Sun Devils to put up a higher volume of shots.
The Sun Devils will advance to the consolation championship of the Fort Worth Regional WNIT bracket. They will face Houston, who advanced with a no-contest. It will be Arizona State’s final game of the season, and one last opportunity for the young roster to gain experience.
“Every day that we’re getting to prep and prepare and teach this team is invaluable.” Turner Thorne said. “I mean, it’s amazing still what we don’t know, because there’s so little experience on this team. It’s gonna be valuable, and really grateful that we can be here and get one more game.”
Arizona State’s season finale will tip-off in Fort Worth Monday at 2 p.m. MST. The game will be available to stream on FloHoops.
