TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 19 Arizona State women's basketball team made 60 percent of its shots in the first quarter and never looked back as it cruised to a 80-44 win over Louisiana Tech on day one of the annual ASU Classic.
Kianna Ibis (13 points), Courtney Ekmark (12 points) and Charnea Johnson-Chapman (10 points) led the way on the offensive end for the Sun Devils (4-2), who would go on to shoot 45 percent for the game.
The Sun Devils were outstanding on the glass as they outrebounded Louisiana Tech 51-33, including a 17-8 advantage in offensive rebounds that resulted in 15 second-chance points. Johnson-Chapman just missed a double-double with nine rebounds while Sophia Elenga and Jayde Van Hyfte had identical scoring and rebounding efforts (seven points, six rebounds) to combine for 14 and 12 rebounds.
Ekmark and Robbi Ryan tied for the team lead in assists with five each, as the two combined for 10 of ASU's 22 assists for the game with only 10 turnovers. Ryan also led the way with three of ASU's nine steals. Also adding to ASU's defensive effort, which limited Louisiana Tech to only 33 percent shooting, were eight blocks which were compiled by seven different players. Freshman guard Jamie Loera paced ASU with a pair of swats.
Arizona State forced Louisiana Tech to call a timeout after Kiara Russell knocked down a jumper, which gave the Sun Devils a 15-4 lead early in the first quarter. ASU would go on to take a 29-11 lead after 10 minutes. Jamie Ruden scored six of her eight points in the first quarter to tie for the team high in scoring.
It would be all ASU foe the rest of the half as the Sun Devils went on to record an assist on all but one of their 20 field goals in the first half. Ekmark knocked down four triples to lead ASU (12 points) over the first 20 minutes as the Sun Devils raced out a 49-19 lead at the break. For ASU, the 49-point outburst represented its most points in the first half since it poured in 52 last December against Arkansas.
ASU knocked down eight 3-pointers through the first 20 minutes and shot a sizzling 54 percent from the field. Ibis and Johnson-Chapman combined for 18 points and five rebounds during that stretch.
"We definitely were shooting it well. Whenever we are shooting it well, that helps our offense a lot. I thought we did a good job of getting paint touches and threes," Ekmark said. "That is one thing that we focused on this week."
Saturday's win was ASU's first home game since its season-opening win over Incarnate Word on Nov. 6.
"It is so nice to play at home. Traveling is a lot. So, it is good to be at home again after a while," Ibis said.
The Sun Devils will go for the championship of the ASU Classic on Sunday at 2 pm when they face Tulsa at Wells Fargo Arena. The game will be preceded by the consolation game of the ASU Classic between Alabama and Louisiana Tech at 11:30 a.m.
The Sun Devil women's basketball program will be holding its fourth annual #KeepTheBeat for Heart Health Awareness event as part of Sunday's ASU Classic. In 2015 the team launched the 'Keep The Beat' program to help people of all ages have a better understanding of what it means to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. #KeepTheBeat festivities will start at noon on Sunday, two hours prior to ASU's contest vs. Alabama/Tulsa at 2 p.m. Fans are invited to Taste of Tempe, a food tasting event with heart healthy choices in addition to a heart health expo that will take place in the arboretum (NE of Wells Fargo Arena). Fans can also participate in other health-related activities including a free yoga session provided by a core power instructor. There will also be several giveaways related to heart health and living a more healthy lifestyle.
Kianna Ibis (13 points), Courtney Ekmark (12 points) and Charnea Johnson-Chapman (10 points) led the way on the offensive end for the Sun Devils (4-2), who would go on to shoot 45 percent for the game.
The Sun Devils were outstanding on the glass as they outrebounded Louisiana Tech 51-33, including a 17-8 advantage in offensive rebounds that resulted in 15 second-chance points. Johnson-Chapman just missed a double-double with nine rebounds while Sophia Elenga and Jayde Van Hyfte had identical scoring and rebounding efforts (seven points, six rebounds) to combine for 14 and 12 rebounds.
Ekmark and Robbi Ryan tied for the team lead in assists with five each, as the two combined for 10 of ASU's 22 assists for the game with only 10 turnovers. Ryan also led the way with three of ASU's nine steals. Also adding to ASU's defensive effort, which limited Louisiana Tech to only 33 percent shooting, were eight blocks which were compiled by seven different players. Freshman guard Jamie Loera paced ASU with a pair of swats.
Arizona State forced Louisiana Tech to call a timeout after Kiara Russell knocked down a jumper, which gave the Sun Devils a 15-4 lead early in the first quarter. ASU would go on to take a 29-11 lead after 10 minutes. Jamie Ruden scored six of her eight points in the first quarter to tie for the team high in scoring.
It would be all ASU foe the rest of the half as the Sun Devils went on to record an assist on all but one of their 20 field goals in the first half. Ekmark knocked down four triples to lead ASU (12 points) over the first 20 minutes as the Sun Devils raced out a 49-19 lead at the break. For ASU, the 49-point outburst represented its most points in the first half since it poured in 52 last December against Arkansas.
ASU knocked down eight 3-pointers through the first 20 minutes and shot a sizzling 54 percent from the field. Ibis and Johnson-Chapman combined for 18 points and five rebounds during that stretch.
"We definitely were shooting it well. Whenever we are shooting it well, that helps our offense a lot. I thought we did a good job of getting paint touches and threes," Ekmark said. "That is one thing that we focused on this week."
Saturday's win was ASU's first home game since its season-opening win over Incarnate Word on Nov. 6.
"It is so nice to play at home. Traveling is a lot. So, it is good to be at home again after a while," Ibis said.
The Sun Devils will go for the championship of the ASU Classic on Sunday at 2 pm when they face Tulsa at Wells Fargo Arena. The game will be preceded by the consolation game of the ASU Classic between Alabama and Louisiana Tech at 11:30 a.m.
The Sun Devil women's basketball program will be holding its fourth annual #KeepTheBeat for Heart Health Awareness event as part of Sunday's ASU Classic. In 2015 the team launched the 'Keep The Beat' program to help people of all ages have a better understanding of what it means to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. #KeepTheBeat festivities will start at noon on Sunday, two hours prior to ASU's contest vs. Alabama/Tulsa at 2 p.m. Fans are invited to Taste of Tempe, a food tasting event with heart healthy choices in addition to a heart health expo that will take place in the arboretum (NE of Wells Fargo Arena). Fans can also participate in other health-related activities including a free yoga session provided by a core power instructor. There will also be several giveaways related to heart health and living a more healthy lifestyle.