Arizona State University women’s basketball junior forward Sophie Brunner became the third current Sun Devil women’s basketball player to earn a medal in an international competition on Monday night. Brunner, a member of the 2015 U.S. Pan American Women's Basketball Team, and her teammates came away with a silver medal as the USA (4-1) came up short losing 81-73 to host Canada (5-0) in the gold medal game of the 2015 Pan American Games played at Ryerson Athletic Center in Toronto, Canada.
Earlier this month senior guard Katie Hempen and junior center Quinn Dornstauder competed for the USA and Canada, respectively, at the World University Games in South Korea. Each of their respective squads faced off in the championship game with the USA prevailing 82-63 on July 13. Hempen (gold) and Dornstauder (silver) both earned medals.
Brunner played in four contests during the Pan American Games. She finished third on the team with six offensive rebounds. She scored six points and pulled down six rebounds in the USA’s win over the Dominican Republic on Friday.
A 6-1 forward from Freeport, Illinois, Brunner earned All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention honors in 2014-15 following a season in which she started every game and concluded the campaign as the team leader in rebounding (7.6 rpg - 8th in Pac-12), steals (1.8 spg - 9th in Pac-12), FG pct. (54.3 - 4th in Pac-12) and free throws made (87) & attempted (119), second in scoring (11.9 ppg), fourth in free throw pct. (73.1) and fifth in assists (1.2 apg).
The Sun Devils return 10 players, including four starters from last year’s team that finished with 29 wins (second-highest total in team history) and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now and can be purchased for as low as $49. For more information or to purchase, click here or call 480-965-5812.