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ASU Basketball: Sun Devils fail to avoid L.A. sweep falling to UCLA

By Alex Weiner

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: The Arizona State Sun Devils mascot 'Sparky' performs during the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: The Arizona State Sun Devils mascot 'Sparky' performs during the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ASU women’s basketball couldn’t build off strong start as UCLA held off the Sun Devils for a 71-63 victory with ASU dropping to 17-9 (8-6 Pac-12).

Arizona State’s comeback attempt fell short as No. 8 UCLA defeated the Sun Devils 71-63 on Sunday afternoon.

Coming off of a tough loss to USC, ASU certainly needed a win in order to keep their ranking on the AP Poll.

ASU fell in large part due to poor interior defense. Three UCLA forwards scored 12 or more points. The three were Lajahna Drummer (15), Monique Billings (14) and Michaela Onyenwere (12). Good cuts by the Bruins and strong passing led to too many open layups for ASU to compete with.

Once again, ASU’s turnover issue came to haunt them early on, as they gave the ball up six times in the first quarter. ASU went from the best in the conference in turnover margin to fourth in a span of just a couple of weeks.

They would only go on to turn the ball over five more times, but they only forced eight UCLA turnovers.

ASU started hot, going up 7-1 after the first two minutes and prompting an early UCLA timeout. The Bruins would come back and even take the lead after one 19-18.

Late in the first quarter, ASU guard Kiara Russell went to the locker room with an apparent leg injury. She did not return.

UCLA distanced themselves to start the second quarter. They scored eight unanswered points to go up 27-19. The Devils wouldn’t score until there was 5:43 left in the second when Kianna Ibis hit a free throw. The Devils scored just 11 in the quarter and went down 41-29 at halftime.

The Sun Devils regrouped to have a solid third quarter. They outscored the Bruins by seven to head into the final frame down five.

ASU came within four points on several occasions, but UCLA’s offense continued to keep them at arm’s distance until the final buzzer.

Next: ASU Basketball: USC defeats Sun Devils behind nine 3-pointers

Arizona State drops to 17-9 and 8-6 in Pac-12 play and will face Arizona for a pair of games next weekend.