ASU Basketball: Sun Devils begin statement weekend versus Oregon

ASU women’s basketball wraps up the regular season with two top-15 games this weekend beginning Friday with No. 8 Oregon.

Arizona State begins their biggest weekend of the season Friday as they host the eighth-ranked Oregon Ducks with a massive opportunity to improve their resume.

The Sun Devils are coming off two blowout wins over Arizona last weekend with the Sun Devils winning last Friday 75-50 and 69-45 last Sunday.

ASU’s defensive prowess was on display against the Wildcats holding them to 45 percent shooting, out-rebounding Arizona 68-46 and forcing 36 turnovers over the course of two games.

Forwards Courtney Ekmark and Jamie Ruden had strong games for the Sun Devils. Ekmark recorded 17 points, six assists and five steals in Friday’s win and 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists Sunday.

Ruden had a big fourth quarter Friday (12 points) after the Sun Devils put the game to bed after ASU outscored U of A 25-5 in the third quarter. She followed that up with another 12-point performance Sunday.

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The Sun Devils now welcome two top-15 teams to Tempe this weekend beginning this Friday with No. 8 Oregon.

Oregon is coming off a pair of thrilling victories last weekend defeating USC 80-74 in double overtime last Friday followed by an overtime win Monday night against No. 10 UCLA 101-90.

Forward Ruthy Hebard set an NCAA record for the most consecutive baskets made (33) as she scored a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds on 12-of-12 shooting.

The streak ended Monday against UCLA as Hebard finished the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting.

Oregon struggled to score against the Trojans as guards Sabrina Ionescu and Maite Cazorla combined for 32 points on 8-of-26 shooting.

The Ducks overcame USC’s balanced attack to edge out the victory and Monday against UCLA, it seemed the Ducks were heading towards a comfortable win as they led by as many as 19.

UCLA stormed back on big nights from guard Jordin Canada and forward Monique Billings and forced overtime but the Ducks shot 4-of-9 in the added period with the Bruins making just one field goal.

Arizona State will look to flip the script this time around against the Ducks as Arizona State lost the first meeting in Eugene 74-64.

The Sun Devils started the game slow trailing 22-12 after the first quarter but made it a four-point game at halftime. The third quarter is where it fell apart for the Sun Devils as Oregon outscored ASU 21-5 to put the game out of reach.

Arizona State will need to play better defense this time around as the Ducks shot 66 percent from the field in the first meeting while ASU only shot 44 percent.

Oregon is one of the best teams in the country moving the ball around so don’t be surprised if head coach Charli Turner Thorne utilizes a zone defense.

The matchup to watch is inside with forward Kianna Ibis likely matching up against Hebard. The Sun Devils need to force one-and-done possessions because giving Oregon additional possessions could prove costly.

Next: ASU Basketball: Second 2018 Women’s Bracketology Update

ASU, having already surpassed their conference win total from last season, will try to lock down at least the No. 5 seed in the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament as a win or a California loss would clinch it for the Sun Devils. Tip off is set for 6 p.m. MT and it can be seen on Pac-12 Network.