Sun Devils lose 12-point lead, possible upset

The Sun Devils were unable to beat Dayton in the championship game of the ASU Classic as they eventually lost 65-59. The Lady Devils started the game strong and went into halftime with a 12-point lead over the Dayton Flyers.

However, as the second half rolled around, the Sun Devils lost their focus.

ASU began the game strong despite playing against a fierce Dayton roster. The Flyers may have scored the first bucket of the game, but the free throw made by Micaela Pickens propelled the Sun Devil’s 10-0 run.

The Sun Devils played tough defense and rebounded aggressively in the first half. Both teams struggled in the first half to make easy lay-ups and shots in the paint, but the Sun Devils aggressive rebounding and pristine passing, aided them to a 40-28 lead going into the half. The focus was there as the Sun Devils finished the half with only nine turnovers compared to Dayton’s 13.

After half time, a different Sun Devil team took the court. The team lost focus considering they turned the ball over seven times within the first six minutes.

The Sun Devils also committed 11 fouls in the second half. Dayton was able to capitalize from the free throw line making 84.6 percent of their free throws in the home stretch.

With 29 seconds left to play and the Devils down by three, Adrianne Thomas went to the free throw line. She missed both shots, allowing Dayton to maintain their three-point lead.

Dayton managed to get the rebound and the Sun Devils were forced to foul, sending Dayton’s Amber Deane to the charity stripe. Deane made the first shot, but missed her second increasing the Flyers’ lead to four points.

It looked like a Sun Devil comeback could be possible after a Elisha Davis lay-up at the 20 second mark, but once again Dayton proved to be solid on the free throw line sinking both their attempts to put them ahead by four points.

A turnover by Davis with 11 seconds to play sealed the Sun Devils fate.

The Lady Devils were led in scoring by Arnecia Hawkins who had 12 points and went two for three from the three-point line. Janae Fulcher and Haley Videckis both contributed 11 points in the loss.

The Sun Devils look to get back on track as they take on the Providence Friars (2-5) on the road on Friday.

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