March 8, 2008
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Third-seeded Arizona State got balanced scoring in a quarterfinal victory over sixth-seeded Washington in Saturday's first game at HP Pavilion. ASU (21-9) advanced to Sunday's semifinal, while UW ends its season with a 13-18 record. All five ASU starters scored in double figures, led by forward Sybil Dosty's game-high 17 points and senior guard Briann January's 13. ASU, which swept UW in three games this season, produced its second-best scoring output of the year.
Dosty also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season; ASU won the rebounding battle, 41-30. Junior center Kirsten Thompson came off ASU's bench to contribute a game-high three blocks. UW had three players score in double figures, led by freshman guard/forward Katelan Redmon with 15 points. She also grabbed nine boards.
The Huskies made a game of it in the second half despite being down 21 points at the break. They cut Arizona State's eventual 22-point lead down to nine twice, at 65-56 and at 67-58, when sophomore forward/center Laura McLellan converted a layup with 3:36 remaining. But the Huskies would get no closer after a three-point field goal by ASU senior guard Reagan Pariseau extended ASU's led to 70-58. Following a pair of Washington free throws Pariseau hit another three to give ASU a 73-60 advantage with 1:58 left. Pariseau concluded the game with 12 points, which tied her season best.
Washington shot 45 percent in the opening period, but took just 20 shots to ASU's 33 and lost the turnover battle, 12-4. The Sun Devils also held a 17-12 advantage on the boards. ASU led by six when Washington's Emily Florence went to the bench with two fouls at the 9:57 mark. UW's senior guard did not return before halftime, and the Sun Devils extended their lead to 43-22 at the break. Florence was scoreless for the game, shooting 0-of-5, and made a game-high six turnovers in her last game for Washington.