ASU Basketball: Sun Devils blow out Colorado in Pac-12 opener
By Scotty Gange
ASU women’s basketball started conference play on the right foot with a 72-47 win over Colorado behind a career-high 17 points from Sophia Elenga.
ASU women’s basketball owned every phase of the game Friday night. Traveling north to Boulder, the women showed there are a team to beat in the Pac-12 with their 72-47 win over Colorado.
Courtney Ekmark showed her stuff in the Sun Devils return from break, finishing with 13 points. She has emerged as a true playmaker and quarterback of the offense.
Head coach Charli Turner-Thorne happily took out a number of her starters in the third quarter as the Sun Devils led by over 30 points. Kianna Ibis and Sophia Elenga dominated the paint rather effortlessly, as the Colorado backcourt could not find the skills to get past Reili Richardson and Ekmark.
Taking time off is tough for all athletes, and for every player in tonights game, they were forced to do so. This being the first game back from holiday break, it showed for several players tonight.
Forward Sophia Elenga scored a career-high 17 points going 7-8 from the floor and draining her first six shots.
Jamie Ruden and Elenga combined for 33 points off the bench, proving to be the true difference maker in the game.
As the Pac-12 conference play will continue for the Sun Devils, they look forward to major matchups against Oregon and UCLA, who are top ranked programs in the country.
ASU has not won the Pac-12 championship in several years, and with the skill and excellence they have displayed to date, the Sun Devils have the opportunity to fight for the top spot in the Pac-12.
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Turner Thorne looked very pleased with her team’s performance, and rightly so. ASU will travel to Salt Lake City to battle the Utes Sunday.