Arizona State women basketball team got to 2-0 in the season after crushing Eastern Washington 73-58 in their home on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Sun Devils used defensive pressure to manage the game, especially in the second half where they did not allow EWU to get to the field goals more than two times and when the game was in full swing, they pulled away with a slow start in the offensive.
Fair Work the Song brings Day
Gabby Elliott also maintained the performance she had in her opening week, ending with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting and also making two blocks. Marley Washenitz had 14 points and seven rebounds (high), and Jyah Lovett gave the team a spark off the bench, scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and two steals. Both Washenitz and McKinna Brackens got three steals, assisting ASU in obtaining 11 steals.
Playing Through Absence
ASU had a starting guard, Last-Tear Poa, who was day-to-day after getting injured in the season opener. A transfer of LSU, Poa, the winner of a national championship in 2023, had scored 10 assists on the first day. She was replaced by freshman Amaya Williams, who started in the lineup and scored 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting and increasingly became more at ease throughout the game.
Strong Third quarter produces differentiation
In the third quarter, ASU dominated, completely defeating Eastern Washington by 22-8. At one point went on a 21-3 run in the first eight minutes after the halftime. The hustle of the Sun Devils resulted in eight turnovers during the period, resulting in nine points on the break and a 54-32 lead by ASU at the start of the fourth.
Sun Devils Take Over Late to Secure Commanding Fourth-Quarter Victory
The fourth quarter became a decisive one as Arizona State outscored the Eastern Washington 27-10 and earned the 73-58 win.
The game was at a draw at 51-51 with less than six minutes to go when the tide turned after Gabby Elliott made two free throws to make ASU lead the rest of the game convincingly. The Sun Devils went on to score two resounding 8-1 scoring runs as a result of excellent offensive performance and high level of defensive attack.
Elliott made 8 of her 16 points in the last period with Marley Washenitz contributing 7 of her 17 points, the highest score, in the period. At the same time, the offense of the Eagles failed miserably, as it could not take even a single field goal.
Even though the game was on a draw; all the remaining points were gained on the free-throw line. The powerful defense of ASU and the effective scoring in the end of the game made the victory and emphasized the power of the team in the last few minutes.
The Sun Devils now gear up towards the start of their first road trip of the season, commencing Thursday, Nov. 13, in San Diego and then proceeding to a matchup at Santa Clara, Sunday, Nov.16.