ASU Basketball: Arizona State Seeks Payback Versus Arizona

After falling to Arizona Friday night, ASU basketball women’s team will face the Wildcats in an attempt to split the season series.

The ASU basketball women’s team is back in action Sunday versus their in-state rival Arizona.

The Wildcats stunned the Sun Devils Friday night in Tucson 62-58 in a back-and-forth game featuring 12 lead changes and nine ties.

Arizona got off to a quick start as they led by as many as nine in the first quarter. The Wildcats would head into halftime leading by five.

The Sun Devils made a comeback in the second half eventually leading in the fourth quarter, but what has been the case in recent weeks, Arizona State couldn’t close out the game.

ASU finished the game making just two of their final nine shots and had costly turnovers down the stretch.

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The Sun Devils couldn’t take advantage of second-chance opportunities.

Arizona State had 18 offensive rebounds compared to Arizona’s 9 and ASU had nine more field goal attempts, but in the end only finished with two more field goals made than the Wildcats.

For Arizona State to win Sunday, they need to receive contributions from everybody else.

Forward Sophie Brunner and center Quinn Dornstuader carried the Sun Devils Friday combining for 33 points and 16 rebounds.

The Arizona State backcourt had a rough game combining for just 15 points on 4-for-24 shooting from the field.

ASU needs to get back to driving the ball inside.

Guard Reili Richardson has stopped doing that recently and it has led to stagnant possessions where they just hold the ball and have to fire up a shot with the shot clock running out.

With the return of Kelsey Moos, the Sun Devils did rebound the ball better and that is a welcome sighting for Arizona State.

Moos provides that added defensive intensity and 3-point threat that has been lacking in recent weeks. She can defend the length of the opponent’s best perimeter shooter.

Arizona was very balanced Friday as five players had at least 7 points.

Forwards Breanna Workman and LaBrittney Jones combined for 30 points and 15 rebounds while guard Malena Washington was an effective play-maker finishing with 8 points and 2 assists.

Next: ASU WBB: Devils Lose Ugly One to Rival Arizona

Arizona State needs to really win this game to gain some confidence heading into the final weekend of the Pac-12 regular season. Tip-off of Arizona State-Arizona is at 4 p.m. MST and can be seen on Pac-12 Arizona.