The Arizona State women’s basketball team fought through a tenacious Cal Poly zone to defeat the Mustangs 66-41 on Saturday.
The Sun Devils were again led by USC graduate-transfer, Ja’Tavia Tapley. The 6’3 forward had a career-high 23 points and added eight rebounds (four offensive) in 27 minutes of action.
“…I just made sure I focused on the next play and also playing team ball and getting open for my teammates and getting rebounds for my teammates,” Tapley said. “Whatever I had to do I just made sure I was focused on doing that.”
Tapley also was a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line, something not all post players can accomplish.
“We focus on free throws a lot in practice,” Tapley stated. “Like it’s a key point. So make free throws in practice, you’ve got to make them in the game.”
ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne was grateful for Tapley’s performance as her game overshadowed an overall poor offensive performance for the Sun Devils on Sunday. Turner Thorne said Tapley is continuing to get more “comfortable”.
The Cal Poly zone held ASU to just 35.9 percent (23-64) from the field in the game. The Mustangs forced the Sun Devils to shoot 31 three-pointers that ASU made only seven of.
The Sun Devils were forced to win the game on the defensive side of the ball. ASU had 35 of its 66 points off of a whopping 27 turnovers the team forced.
Senior point guard Reili Richardson had a career-high six steals as part of a season-high 18 for the Sun Devils in the game. Freshman guard Sara Bejedi had three while sophomore Jayde Van Hyfte, sophomore Taya Hanson and senior Robbi Ryan each had two apiece. The 18 steals were the third time in just four games ASU has had double-digit steals so far this season.
The Sun Devils also dominated the glass against the Mustangs Sunday. Despite Cal Poly having six players 6’1 or taller, ASU grabbed 41 rebounds while the Mustangs had just 27. ASU had a 21-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
“Well I thought that was a good team win,” Turner Thorne explained. “In case anybody didn’t know we worked on defense this week…after our last game when we didn’t play any. So I was actually pleased…it was kind of a perfect thing that we didn’t shoot well…I’m actually really happy. It sounds bizarre. But I’m ok that we learned that it doesn’t matter if you shoot well or not. If you bring your defense you can win no matter what.”
There was one more highlight offensively for the Sun Devils. Junior guard Bre’yanna Sanders, a seldom used player for her first two seasons, had a season-high six points and was 2-3 on threes in the game.
Cal Poly started off strong in the first quarter, holding ASU to 5-16 shooting (31.3 percent) while shooting 5-11 (45.5 percent). The Mustangs trailed by just five at the end of one.
The second quarter was when it got rocky for Cal Poly. Leading 17-12, ASU went on an 8-0 to lead 25-12 with 2:49 left in the quarter. The Mustangs cut it down to 11 (29-18) going into the break but it would not matter as ASU did not look back.
The Sun Devils outscored the Mustangs 23-14 in the third quarter and had their best quarter offensively, shooting 44 percent on 8-18 from the field.
The fourth quarter was sluggish as neither team was sharp offensively and ASU came away with the blowout win.
Oregon transfer Sierra Campisano led the way for Cal Poly with 21 points on 7-15 shooting while grabbing 7 rebounds.
On a negative note for ASU, senior forward and No. 2 scoring option Jamie Ruden missed her second straight game with a foot injury. She was on crutches on the bench. Senior guard Kiara Russell was also absent from the ASU lineup as she is still recovering from an illness.
Turner Thorne said the team is likely to have Russell back for this upcoming weekend’s Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida.
The Sun Devils begin the tournament on Friday with a matchup against Maine at 3 p.m. MST.
