BERKELEY, Calif. – Courtney Ekmark (12 points, eight rebounds) and Kianna Ibis (11 points, eight rebounds) combined for 23 points and 16 rebounds to help the No. 25 Arizona State women's basketball team defeat No. 23 Cal 57-42 on Sunday.
Robbi Ryan and Jamie Ruden added nine points each for the Sun Devils (15-7, 6-4 Pac-12), who are now tied with Cal for fifth place in the Pac-12 (15-6, 6-4).
Kiara Russell scored seven points, including a 3-pointer with 3:52 remaining that extended ASU's lead to 16 and put to rest any hopes Cal had of staging a comeback.
In addition to the rebounds collected by Ekmark and Ibis, Charnea Johnson-Chapman and Ryan added five boards each in helping the Sun Devils outrebound the Bears 35-34.
The Sun Devils handcuffed Cal's offense as they held the Bears to their lowest point total of the season while allowing them to shoot only 28 percent for the game.
ASU's effort on the defensive end played a major factor in the game's outcome, particularly in the opening stages of each half. The Sun Devils did not allow Cal to score until more than seven minutes of game time had elapsed. It would take the Bears more than three minutes to record any points in the second half. ASU would end up outscoring Cal 27-12 in the first and third quarters combined and limited the Bears to 17 percent shooting (5-30) over the combined 20-minute stretch.
The Sun Devils raced out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back as they shot 58 percent (15-26) over the first 20 minutes on their way to a 33-22 halftime lead.
Cal would get within seven points after Kianna Smith's two free throws cut ASU's lead to 26-19 with just over three minutes left in the second quarter. The Bears would get no closer as the Sun Devils scored seven of the next eight points to take a 33-20 lead after Ruden's jumper with 39 seconds left in the half.
ASU would lead by as many as 16 twice in the third quarter as Cal would get no closer than 12 points after the Sun Devils outscored Cal 9-4 over the first six-plus minutes of the second half.
The Sun Devils return to action on Friday (8 p.m. MT) when they host Washington at Wells Fargo Arena. The game can be seen on Pac-12 Network and heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060.
Robbi Ryan and Jamie Ruden added nine points each for the Sun Devils (15-7, 6-4 Pac-12), who are now tied with Cal for fifth place in the Pac-12 (15-6, 6-4).
Kiara Russell scored seven points, including a 3-pointer with 3:52 remaining that extended ASU's lead to 16 and put to rest any hopes Cal had of staging a comeback.
Kiara Russell beat the shot clock with this triple to put the Devils up 52-36 with 3:42 remaining! pic.twitter.com/yHpPdXOw4F
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) January 29, 2018
In addition to the rebounds collected by Ekmark and Ibis, Charnea Johnson-Chapman and Ryan added five boards each in helping the Sun Devils outrebound the Bears 35-34.
The Sun Devils handcuffed Cal's offense as they held the Bears to their lowest point total of the season while allowing them to shoot only 28 percent for the game.
ASU's effort on the defensive end played a major factor in the game's outcome, particularly in the opening stages of each half. The Sun Devils did not allow Cal to score until more than seven minutes of game time had elapsed. It would take the Bears more than three minutes to record any points in the second half. ASU would end up outscoring Cal 27-12 in the first and third quarters combined and limited the Bears to 17 percent shooting (5-30) over the combined 20-minute stretch.
The Sun Devils raced out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back as they shot 58 percent (15-26) over the first 20 minutes on their way to a 33-22 halftime lead.
Back-to back baskets by Robbi Ryan extends ASU's lead to 14-0! pic.twitter.com/ZlLWR9tdGN
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) January 28, 2018
Cal would get within seven points after Kianna Smith's two free throws cut ASU's lead to 26-19 with just over three minutes left in the second quarter. The Bears would get no closer as the Sun Devils scored seven of the next eight points to take a 33-20 lead after Ruden's jumper with 39 seconds left in the half.
ASU would lead by as many as 16 twice in the third quarter as Cal would get no closer than 12 points after the Sun Devils outscored Cal 9-4 over the first six-plus minutes of the second half.
Devils have increased their lead to 39-26 with 4:46 remaining in the 3rd quarter! pic.twitter.com/7E6YMdmx0F
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) January 29, 2018
The Sun Devils return to action on Friday (8 p.m. MT) when they host Washington at Wells Fargo Arena. The game can be seen on Pac-12 Network and heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060.