ASU Women’s Basketball: Sun Devils fall to MSU in Cancun
By Carson Field
The ASU women’s basketball team lost for the first time of the season Thursday against seventh-ranked Mississippi State, 65-57, in the Cancun Challenge.
ASU women’s basketball suffered its first loss of the season today against Mississippi State, which finished as runner-ups in the NCAA Tournament last year.
The Sun Devils are now 4-1 on the season, while the Bulldogs improved to 4-0.
The first quarter was dominated by Mississippi State, and the team was leading by a score of 21-10 at the end of the quarter.
The Sun Devils bounced back in the second quarter outscoring the Bulldogs 19-7 in the period. At the end of the half, ASU led Mississippi State, 29-28.
ASU once again outscored the Bulldogs in the third quarter, and the Sun Devils held a 45-43 lead at the end of three.
Mississippi State turned it around in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs began the period on an 8-0 run. The Bulldogs were able to close out the game, and the final score was 65-57 in favor of Mississippi State.
Kianna Ibis led the Sun Devils in scoring with 13 points, and Sabrina Haines followed close behind with 10.
Victoria Vivians led Mississippi State in scoring with 17 points, and Teaira McCowan also added a double-double to the winning effort with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The next contest for the No. 24 Arizona State Sun Devils will be Friday against UW-Green Bay. The Phoenix won their first game of the tournament defeating Columbia by a score of 61-43.
UW-Green Bay has won the Horizon League regular season championship every year since 1999, and the Phoenix have made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons.
Next: ASU Women’s Basketball: Sun Devils face tough teams in Cancun Challenge
Friday’s game will begin at 11:30 a.m. MT and it can be seen on College Sports Live (subscription required).