ASU women’s basketball looked dominant after their first two games. The Sun Devils looked to continue their strong play Saturday versus Sacramento State.
Despite a slow start, ASU was able to continue their winning ways by earning a 106-58 victory over the Hornets. This was the first time since December 2005 that the Sun Devils scored over 100 points in a game.
ASU did not start the game the way that they wanted to. They trailed the visiting Hornets 14-10 with 4:32 left in the opening quarter. Arizona State struggled to defend the perimeter early and Sacramento State took advantage. But the Sun Devils finished off the first quarter strong by going on a 10-0 run and regaining the lead.
The second quarter was much better for ASU. They shot 50 percent from the floor and scored the final eleven points of the half. They went back to the locker room with a sizable 48-27 lead.
The second half was all Arizona State. The Sun Devils shot a tremendous 75 percent from the field in the third quarter as the ball movement and transition game flourished. They headed into the fourth up 77-44, where they would outscore the Hornets 29-14 and pick up the 48-point win.
ASU received good contributions from basically everyone who played. Sabrina Haines led the Sun Devils with 19, but six different players scored in double figures and two more scored 9 points. Sophia Elenga had a big outing, putting up 16 points and 6 rebounds while Reili Richardson picked up 10 assists, making her the first player in the program to accomplish this since 2015.
The Devils spread the ball around very well, assisting 31 out of the team’s 35 field goals made. The bench play was also dynamic, outscoring Sacramento State’s bench 47-10.
Head coach Charli Turner Thorne talked about how the Sun Devils came together after the game. “We’re all about each other… This team can be really really good if they keep coming together.”
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It was a great team win at home for ASU. Now they have the opportunity to pick up their fourth win tomorrow when they matchup against Colgate.