AUSTIN, Texas – Despite Kianna Ibis' game-high 27 points, the Arizona State women's basketball team was unable to extend its season as it fell to eighth-ranked Texas 85-65 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday night.
Coming off an impressive 73-62 win over Nebraska in the first round on Saturday, the Sun Devils (22-13/No. 7 seed in the Kansas City region) were looking to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last four seasons.
It was not to be, however, as the Longhorns (28-6/No. 2 seed in the Kansas City region) connected on 62 percent of their shots and outrebounded the Sun Devils 40-19.
Ibis (8-13 FGs, team-high six rebounds), whose 27 points represented the third-highest point total by a Sun Devil in an NCAA Tournament game, Kiara Russell (4-5 FGs/nine points, team-high five assists), and Sophia Elenga (3-5 FGs/seven points) were the only three Sun Devils who shot over 50 percent as the trio combined to hit 65 percent of their shots (15-23).
Robbi Ryan added nine points while Jamie Ruden had seven points for the Sun Devils, who had only nine turnovers and shot twice as many free throws as the Longhorns (20-10).
Texas had four players score in double figures led by guards Lashann Higgs (19 points) and Brooke McCarty (15 points, 10 rebounds).
Down by five at the half, the Sun Devils started the third quarter as the aggressors as they scored the first three points of the frame (free throw by Ibis and a jumper by Ryan) to get within two points, 40-38.
Just when it appeared the Sun Devils were about to make their move the Longhorns responded with a 19-3 run that changed the entire complexion of the game.
Down by 15 points to start the final period the Sun Devils would quickly see their hopes for a comeback evaporate as the Longhorns started the fourth quarter on a 10-2 run
Although Texas led by as many as 11 in the second quarter, the first half was played on fairly even terms. The Sun Devils used a 13-5 run late in the second quarter to cut Texas' lead to three, 38-35 after two free throws by Ryan with 23 seconds left in the half. The Longhorns would add another field goal before the end of the half to take a 40-35 lead into the locker room,
This season the Sun Devils tied the school record for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (five) and consecutive 20-win seasons (five). They posted wins over three teams that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16: Buffalo, Stanford and Oregon State.
Next year's squad will return all 11 players from this year's roster as the Sun Devils did not have any seniors this season.
Coming off an impressive 73-62 win over Nebraska in the first round on Saturday, the Sun Devils (22-13/No. 7 seed in the Kansas City region) were looking to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last four seasons.
It was not to be, however, as the Longhorns (28-6/No. 2 seed in the Kansas City region) connected on 62 percent of their shots and outrebounded the Sun Devils 40-19.
Ibis (8-13 FGs, team-high six rebounds), whose 27 points represented the third-highest point total by a Sun Devil in an NCAA Tournament game, Kiara Russell (4-5 FGs/nine points, team-high five assists), and Sophia Elenga (3-5 FGs/seven points) were the only three Sun Devils who shot over 50 percent as the trio combined to hit 65 percent of their shots (15-23).
Robbi Ryan added nine points while Jamie Ruden had seven points for the Sun Devils, who had only nine turnovers and shot twice as many free throws as the Longhorns (20-10).
Texas had four players score in double figures led by guards Lashann Higgs (19 points) and Brooke McCarty (15 points, 10 rebounds).
Down by five at the half, the Sun Devils started the third quarter as the aggressors as they scored the first three points of the frame (free throw by Ibis and a jumper by Ryan) to get within two points, 40-38.
Just when it appeared the Sun Devils were about to make their move the Longhorns responded with a 19-3 run that changed the entire complexion of the game.
Down by 15 points to start the final period the Sun Devils would quickly see their hopes for a comeback evaporate as the Longhorns started the fourth quarter on a 10-2 run
Although Texas led by as many as 11 in the second quarter, the first half was played on fairly even terms. The Sun Devils used a 13-5 run late in the second quarter to cut Texas' lead to three, 38-35 after two free throws by Ryan with 23 seconds left in the half. The Longhorns would add another field goal before the end of the half to take a 40-35 lead into the locker room,
This season the Sun Devils tied the school record for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (five) and consecutive 20-win seasons (five). They posted wins over three teams that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16: Buffalo, Stanford and Oregon State.
Next year's squad will return all 11 players from this year's roster as the Sun Devils did not have any seniors this season.