Lady Devils Snap Losing Streak

A win is a win, especially when you are a team trying to snap a losing streak. Though at times it wasn’t pretty, the Arizona State Women’s Basketball team snapped a two game skid with a physical 68-62 victory over the Washington Huskies (7-13, 2-6 Pac 10), in front of 2,314 at Bank of America Arena in Seattle.

Searching for answers, Head Coach Charli Turner Thorne changed her starting lineup. Kayli Murphy replaced leading-scorer Lauren Lacey, and Dymond Simon replaced Reagan Pariseau. Murphy responded with a career-high 11 points.

The first half was very sloppy both ways. The Sun Devils (12-7, 6-2 Pac 10) were hurt by turnovers; they had 10 in the first eight minutes of the game. The Devils finished the half with 14, and collected 23 for the game. However, defense kept ASU in the game, as they held Washington to just 26.7% shooting in the first half. The Sun Devil turnovers helped UW keep matters close, even though the Devils badly out-rebounded Washington, 22-15. There were eight lead changes and five ties in the first half. After being knotted at 18 late in the half, ASU went on an 8-2 run to close out the half up 26-20.

Lauren Lacey led the way for the Devils, coming off the bench to score 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The Devils struggled to established an inside game, as Sybil Dosty found herself in foul trouble. Dosty picked up her third foul with 1:58 left in the first half, and was whistled for her fourth early in the second.

The Huskies kept hanging around in the second half. ASU opened up a nine point lead, but Husky freshman Sarah Morton’s layup with 5:30 to play made the game 51-46. Kayli Murphy came back with two straight layups for the Devils, to widen their lead to 55-46.

Lay-ups by Morton and Sara Mosiman cut the Devils lead to 55-50 with 3:39 to play. Washington-native Reagan Pariseau responded with a key three and Lacey added a pair of free throws to give ASU their biggest lead at 60-50.

Washington did have one field goal in the games’ seven minutes. Free throws by Laura McLellen and Kali Bennett were the only Husky points. ASU wasn’t any better, as Lauren Lacey’s layup was their only field goal in the last 6:50.

The offensive spark in the second half was led by Murphy and Pariseau. Murphy scored all 11 of her points after the break, and Pariseau scored all eight of her points in the second half. Andrea Plouffe led Washington with 19 points.

Arizona State will look to get a sweep in the Emerald State as they head to Pullman to take on the Cougars on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 3 PM at Friel Court. Washington State is still winless in the Pac-10, as they blew a late lead to drop a 73-63 decision to Arizona.