(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)
Once again Arizona State started the game off fast and refused to slow down, this time shutting down the UC Davis Aggies, 72-51, giving the Sun Devils a 7-1 record on the season. The Sun Devils started the game with a 12-0 run, and ended the half up by 14, with a score of 42-28. From there on out it was smooth sailing for ASU, who went on another tear, with a 10-0 run to start the second half.
ASU was unable to eliminate the Aggies’ (5-5) top scorer in Sydnee Fipps, who ended the night with 13 points, coming close to her season average of 16.8 points per game. However ASU was able to shut down their perimeter shooting. ASU held UC Davis to 13% beyond the arc. ASU’s man-to-man defense was ruthless the entire game, making it hard for UC Davis to get into any kind of rhythm.
ASU’s offense was very balanced this game, with three players in double digits, and 27 points coming from the bench. Sophie Brunner had yet another nice game with 12 points and eight rebounds; just two rebounds shy of another double-double.
Player of the Game: Quinn Dornstauder
Coming off of the bench, Quinn Dornstauder tallied 10 points and four rebounds, but what the state line doesn’t show is her all around aggressive play, particularly on defense. No matter whom Dornstauder was guarding, she found ways to get into passing lanes and disrupt the flow of UC Davis’ offense. This is a good sign from Coach Charli Turner-Thorne’s bench, which is coming together.
Stat of the Night: 31 Points off of Turnovers
Stellar defense doesn’t mean anything if you can’t capitalize on it and ASU was able to do just that. The Sun Devils scored 31 points off of the 19 turnovers they forced, accounting for 43% of their points. Although there weren’t a lot of fast breaks tonight, ASU was able to handle the ball well after UC Davis turnovers and create points.
Biggest Concern: Inability to slow down Fipps
Although ASU only gave up 51 points tonight, they were unable to contain Sydnee Fipps, who had 13 points tonight and is clearly UC Davis’ best player. In past games, ASU has been good at finding the biggest offensive threat on the court and shutting them down. Yet the defense that was amazing otherwise couldn’t stop Fipps despite Charli Turner Thorne’s confidence in defensive ace Promise Amukamara to do just that.
