(Photo: Brooke Faber/WCSN)
For the third straight game Arizona State kept it close, but for the second straight game it ended with a loss, this time 70-64 against Oregon State.
Oregon State’s lead didn’t eclipse eight points in the first half, and only reached 10 in the second, keeping the Sun Devils in this game until the end, but just unable to come out on top. At several points late in the second half, the game was within one basket, but Arizona State was unable to take the lead within that second half.
Ruth Hamblin had herself a night and dominated this game in the paint for Oregon State, gathering nine rebounds and 6 blocks, not to mention her 17 points, helping seal the deal for the Beavers.
Sophie Brunner and Quinn Dornstauder were able to get some offense going within the arc, with Brunner tallying 24 points and Dornstauder putting up 10 of her own. However, Dornstauder found herself in foul trouble late in this one, ending the game with four fouls.
Player of the Game: Sophie Brunner
Not only did Sophie Brunner score 24 points, but she hit her free throws late in this game, keeping ASU within somewhere between three and five points near the end. Brunner was 10/12 at the line tonight, boasting an 83.3 free throw shooting percentage. Brunner found ways to adjust on offense, going up against Ruth Hamblin. On a night where it seemed like Hamblin was blocking everything in sight, Brunner took more hook and jump shots, making Hamblin move more on offense, and giving herself more time to get the shot off. Brunner has been the breakout player for ASU all season, and she continued to be so even in a loss.
Biggest Concern: Trailing for 35:00, Leading for 2:29
For 35 minutes of this game ASU was trailing OSU, and for only 2 minutes and 29 seconds was OSU trailing ASU. Despite keeping the score close throughout the game, ASU just couldn’t grab ahold of the lead. While being down by five for most of the game looks better on paper, in the end it doesn’t really matter whether it was five or 15 if you can’t gain the lead at any point.
Stat of the Night: 14 to 4
Oregon State ended this game with 14 assists, while ASU only had four. ASU is averaging 15.6 assists per game, because of the ball movement above the arc. That ball movement just wasn’t there today. ASU was forcing things into the paint, not taking their time on offense or passing the dimes we’re used to seeing from them.
What’s Next:
Arizona State stays in Oregon, going for the sweep of Oregon University Sunday at 5:30 MST.
