Feb. 3, 2001
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Junior Melody Johnson scored 20 points and freshman Betsy Boardman added a career-best 19 as Arizona State beat No. 22 Oregon 73-63 Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena.
The win was the sixth straight for the Sun Devils (15-6), who maintain their hold first place in the Pac-10 with a 7-2 record. The victory also snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Ducks and marked the 100th career victory for Arizona State head coach Charli Turner Thorne.
Oregon (12-7, 5-4), which trailed 39-34 at halftime, overcame foul trouble early in the second half and closed within 49-47 on Lindsey Dion's breakaway layup with 11:56 left.
Junior Leah Combs hit a hook shot to put the Sun Devils 51-47, while Boardman knocked down a jumper, one free throw and then a three-pointer with 2:28 left to put Arizona State ahead 69-57.
Johnson scored the Sun Devils' first six points and 10 of the team's first 13. She scored 14 of her 18 points in the first half and finished the night shooting 8-of-12 from the field. Boardman scored 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, while junior Amanda Levens had 18 points.
Jamie Craighead scored 17 points and Lindsey Dion added 13 for the Ducks.
As a team, the Sun Devils turned in season high performances from the field (54.5 percent) and the three-point line (66.7 percent) and outrebounded the Ducks 33-21.
Arizona State, which has surpassed its wins total from last season, returns to action next week, traveling to the state of Washington. The Sun Devils will take on Washington State on Thursday night and Washington on Saturday. All of ASU's games can be heard in the Valley on XTRA 910 AM and via the internet at www.thesundevils.com.