Richardson, Tapley lead Sun Devils in close contests

(Photo: Misha Jones/WCSN)

Charli Turner Thorne regularly refers to her team as young and inexperienced.

However, this season, senior guard Reili Richardson and senior forward Ja’Tavia Tapley are actively leading their teammates to victory through their play on the court.

On Friday night, Richardson and Tapley led the Sun Devils (17-8, 7-6 Pac-12) to a 62-59 victory over the Washington State Cougars (11-14, 4-9 Pac-12).

Once again senior guard Reili Richardson proved why she is one of the most valuable players to this year’s ASU team.

In the win over the Cougars, Richardson single-handedly willed the Sun Devils to victory, scoring 22 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists.

In typical Richardson fashion she was at her best late in the game. In just the fourth quarter alone she scored 13 of ASU’s 14 points to secure the victory for the Sun Devils.

Richardson said she believes that she “flips a switch” in the fourth quarter because that is when her team needs her most.

“I’ve been a pretty good and consistent free throw shooter this year. I’ve gotten in the gym and it’s kind of just a rhythm shot for me,” said Richardson, whose been an 87 percent free throw shooter this season. “I look to get the ball at the end of the game when I know they’re going to foul.”

Head coach Charli Turner Thorne echoed the notion that her team should look to get Richardson the ball at the ends of games.

“Reili’s a stud,” Turner Thorne said. “We definitely want to get her the ball for the free throws.”

On the other hand, Tapley showed just how valuable she is, scoring 14 points while adding six rebounds and four assists.

Tapley said that they were able to grind out Friday’s win because of the togetherness of the team. She said even when the Cougars were making a comeback they came together as a team and got it done.

“One thing we did do was stick together and stay positive with each other near the end when things were getting tough,” Tapley said. “We made sure we focused on staying together and finishing strong.”

Turner Thorne believed that Tapley showed what kind of player she is by playing through her struggles.

“She’s one of our go-to players,” Turner Thorne said. “She got blocked early and then I thought she kind of settled down and set things up a little better. She was able to get around the bigs. She had a really good offensive game.”

With a team full of young talent, Turner Thorne is very thankful that she has a mature experienced players like Richardson and Tapley to lead Arizona State.

On Sunday the Sun Devils will take on Washington (11-13, 3-10) at 12:00 p.m.

Turner Thorne will surely look for Richardson and Tapley to lead her team to victory once again.