LOS ANGELES – A game-deciding 10-0 run by USC in the middle of the second half proved to be the difference on Sunday as the Trojans upset the No. 16 Arizona State women's basketball team 65-50.
Sophie Brunner led the Sun Devils (14-7, 5-5 Pac-12) in scoring with 14 points while Quinn Dornstauder notched her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Also coming through with solid efforts for the Sun Devils were Sabrina Haines, who matched her career high with six assists (zero turnovers), and Kiara Russell, who matched her career high with eight points.
In the second quarter Brunner moved into ASU's all-time top 10 list for career points as she passed Dymond Simon (1,229 points/2007-09, 2011) for 10th place. Brunner, who is also among ASU's top 10 for career rebounds (second, 840) and career field goals (eighth, 475), now has 1,234 points.
The Sun Devils, who shot 38 percent, were not able to match USC's efficiency as the Trojans connected on 54 percent of their field goal attempts.
USC (12-9, 3-7 Pac-12) had four players score in double figures led by Sadie Edwards, who had 17 points, while Kristen Simon added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Trojans.
ASU won the battle of the boards 30-25, but the 8-4 advantage it had in second-chance points was nullified by USC's 16-12 edge in points off turnovers.
After Kianna Ibis connected on a jumper to put ASU up by three with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter, the Trojans offense suddenly came to life as it scored the last eight points of the frame and the first two of the fourth quarter. Edwards' jumper with 9:19 remaining capped the 10-0 run to put the Trojans up 44-37 with 9:19 remaining. The key play in the run was a four-point play by USC's Minyon Moore with one second left in the third quarter.
The Sun Devils would get within five after Dornstauder's jumper cut USC's lead to 44-39 with 7:26 remaining but the Trojans would come back with five straight points to once again extend their lead to 10, 49-39. The Sun Devils would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way as the Trojans shot 77 percent (10-13) in the fourth quarter.
The Sun Devils led by as many as six points in the first half after Reili Richardson's jumper put ASU up 18-12 with 7:43 remaining in the first half. USC would counter with an 11-2 run to go up by three after Simon's jumper with under four minutes remaining in the half. The Sun Devils would eventually go to the locker room with a 26-25 lead after Robbi Ryan's layup beat the second-quarter buzzer.
Brunner (11 points) and Dornstauder (eight points) combined for 19 of ASU's 26 first-half points.
ASU scored the first five points of the third quarter to once again take a six-point lead, 31-25, after Brunner's layup. The Sun Devils would continue to lead until Simon's layup with 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter started the Trojans' eventual 10-0 run.
The Sun Devils are still without four-year starter Kelsey Moos who has not played since she injured her foot on New Year's Day. She is expected to return next month.
After playing six of their last eight contests on the road – including the last four in a row – the Sun Devils return to action on Friday (8 p.m. MT) when they host No. 11 Oregon State at Wells Fargo Arena.
Sophie Brunner led the Sun Devils (14-7, 5-5 Pac-12) in scoring with 14 points while Quinn Dornstauder notched her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Also coming through with solid efforts for the Sun Devils were Sabrina Haines, who matched her career high with six assists (zero turnovers), and Kiara Russell, who matched her career high with eight points.
In the second quarter Brunner moved into ASU's all-time top 10 list for career points as she passed Dymond Simon (1,229 points/2007-09, 2011) for 10th place. Brunner, who is also among ASU's top 10 for career rebounds (second, 840) and career field goals (eighth, 475), now has 1,234 points.
The Sun Devils, who shot 38 percent, were not able to match USC's efficiency as the Trojans connected on 54 percent of their field goal attempts.
USC (12-9, 3-7 Pac-12) had four players score in double figures led by Sadie Edwards, who had 17 points, while Kristen Simon added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Trojans.
ASU won the battle of the boards 30-25, but the 8-4 advantage it had in second-chance points was nullified by USC's 16-12 edge in points off turnovers.
After Kianna Ibis connected on a jumper to put ASU up by three with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter, the Trojans offense suddenly came to life as it scored the last eight points of the frame and the first two of the fourth quarter. Edwards' jumper with 9:19 remaining capped the 10-0 run to put the Trojans up 44-37 with 9:19 remaining. The key play in the run was a four-point play by USC's Minyon Moore with one second left in the third quarter.
The Sun Devils would get within five after Dornstauder's jumper cut USC's lead to 44-39 with 7:26 remaining but the Trojans would come back with five straight points to once again extend their lead to 10, 49-39. The Sun Devils would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way as the Trojans shot 77 percent (10-13) in the fourth quarter.
The Sun Devils led by as many as six points in the first half after Reili Richardson's jumper put ASU up 18-12 with 7:43 remaining in the first half. USC would counter with an 11-2 run to go up by three after Simon's jumper with under four minutes remaining in the half. The Sun Devils would eventually go to the locker room with a 26-25 lead after Robbi Ryan's layup beat the second-quarter buzzer.
Brunner (11 points) and Dornstauder (eight points) combined for 19 of ASU's 26 first-half points.
ASU scored the first five points of the third quarter to once again take a six-point lead, 31-25, after Brunner's layup. The Sun Devils would continue to lead until Simon's layup with 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter started the Trojans' eventual 10-0 run.
The Sun Devils are still without four-year starter Kelsey Moos who has not played since she injured her foot on New Year's Day. She is expected to return next month.
After playing six of their last eight contests on the road – including the last four in a row – the Sun Devils return to action on Friday (8 p.m. MT) when they host No. 11 Oregon State at Wells Fargo Arena.