@SunDevilWBB Opens Season with 74-42 Win Over UTSA

by Colton McCrea, SDA Communications Intern

TEMPE, Ariz -- The Arizona State women's basketball team used persistent defense and an all-around team effort to begin the 2017-18 campaign with a 74-42 victory over UTSA on Sunday. 

Juniors Kianna Ibis (8-12 FGs) and Sabrina Haines (5-8 FGs) led the Devils (1-0) in scoring with 16 points each, and combined to shoot 13-20 (65%) for the afternoon. The mark by Ibis eclipsed a career best in points, and her nine rebounds also gave her another personal best. Haines, who tied for the team lead in scoring in ASU's four postseason games last season, picked up where she left off, as she also added three assists and three rebounds.  

University of Connecticut transfer and Arcadia-native Courtney Ekmark made her Sun Devil debut in impressive fashion, scoring a career-high 12 points and recording a career-high six rebounds to go along with two steals.

"I could not be happier or more proud of Kianna Ibis and Charnea Johnson-Chapman," head coach Charli Turner Thorne said.

Opening the first quarter, Haines drilled a three-pointer at the wing, drawing the foul for a four-point play.

The Devils, who led 16-9 after the first 10 minutes, started off the second quarter on a 10-0 run, giving them a big lead they would never relinquish. Sun Devil transfer Sophia Elenga ignited the crowd at the end of the second with a buzzer beating step-back jumper to put the Maroon and Gold up 37-20 heading into halftime. 

The performance was an outstanding team display, as all 10 Sun Devils who entered the court contributed points in the victory. The paint played an important role in the action, with the Devils outscoring the Roadrunners 48-20, while shooting a respectable 32-68 from the field (47.1%). 

"It's exciting because we have a lot of talent on our team," Haines said. "They know what to do, they know how to score and they know what to expect. We have a great core group and all-around team."

ASU made the defensive end a point of emphasis in their win, forcing 22 turnovers and converting 28 made points off the change of possessions. Their 42 points allowed would be the lowest since last season's victory over Holy Cross (Dec. 21, 2016, 63-33).

Sunday's win was ASU's 41st in regular season, non-conference play since 2013, which leads the Pac-12 during that stretch.

ASU's game against UTSA was its annual Salute to Service Game. ASU honored veterans and active military members with 12 days of Salute to Service events that were scheduled across its metro Phoenix campuses from Nov. 1 to Nov. 12, built around Veterans Day, which was observed on Nov. 10. This year, on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, ASU honored a generation of men and women who served, and all others who have worn or are still wearing the nation's service uniforms. Tempe Vice Mayor Robin Arredondo-Savage, a graduate of ASU and U.S. Army Veteran, served as ASU's guest coach on Sunday.
 
The Sun Devils return to action on Wednesday (3 p.m. PT/4 p.m. MT) when they travel to Fresno, Calif., to take on Fresno State. A live stream and live audio of Wednesday's game will both be available.