TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 20 Sun Devil women's basketball team defeated Army, 83-51, on Sunday night to capture its second win of the season.
The team jumped out to an early lead over the Black Knights in the first quarter that they would not relinquish throughout the remainder of the game. The fast-paced offense was on display early with the Sun Devils scoring 10 points off the fast break in the first ten minutes of the game. ASU finished with 22 fast-break points.
The Sun Devils dominated the boards on both ends of the court, out-rebounding the Black Knights 56-25. Offensively, ASU had 32 second-chance points off of 30 offensive rebounds, something the team focused on after the Air Force game.
"We focused on that in practice and we also talked about it before the game," senior forward Ja'Tavia Tapley said. "We made sure we set a goal and we actually met that goal."
The offensive production was distributed throughout the lineup, as nine players scored four or more points. Sophomore forward Jayde Van Hyfte posted her first career double-double with a career high-tying 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds while Tapley provided solid minutes off the bench with a career-high 18 points, to go with six rebounds four steals and two assists in 15 minutes of play. Tapley and Robbi Ryan (12 points) combined for 30 of ASU's 51 bench points.
"That is up there with one of our all-time efficient performances," ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne said of Tapley's performance. "She had a great game. She's really working hard."
Notes
A word with Charli Turner Thorne
Opening statement…
"I thought it was a good team win … I thought everybody got a little bit more consistent today. These teams, Air Force and Army, they're tough, they work hard. I thought, even though they're maybe not the most skilled teams that we'll play, I loved their fight and their relentlessness. I thought they were good games in that regard."
On Robbi Ryan returning to the lineup…
"It's just great knowing that you have her. That's how much we trust Robbi Ryan and what a great player she is. Yesterday was her first practice and it was a light practice. She just got put in and she was allowed to play 15 minutes and she wanted to make sure we got all 15 in. For coaches, it's very reassuring knowing that we have her back … It was awesome to have her back out there today, thought she looked good."
On Ja'Tavia Tapley's performance tonight…
"It just goes to show you, all you young basketball players out there that need more time, you don't. It's called going in there and making the most of every touch and every opportunity and being efficient. That is up there with one of our all-time efficient performances. She had a great game. She's really working hard. She's going to be a good pro."
On the tempo of tonight's game…
"We're trying to just work on pace, pacing the full-court. We want to run. We want to pick up. Obviously in the quarter court we want to get organized, be patient, but still play fast. I think our younger kids are still getting used to that. They're kind of a little slowed, but our first group when they come in they're looking really sharp right now. We can get better, but I don't know too many teams that are really good offensive teams that play slow."
Up Next For The Sun Devils
The Sun Devils (2-0) return to action on the road against No. 23 Minnesota (1-1) on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT/2 p.m. MT.
The team jumped out to an early lead over the Black Knights in the first quarter that they would not relinquish throughout the remainder of the game. The fast-paced offense was on display early with the Sun Devils scoring 10 points off the fast break in the first ten minutes of the game. ASU finished with 22 fast-break points.
2-0 ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/Ya1oGw6Ynz
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) November 11, 2019
The Sun Devils dominated the boards on both ends of the court, out-rebounding the Black Knights 56-25. Offensively, ASU had 32 second-chance points off of 30 offensive rebounds, something the team focused on after the Air Force game.
"We focused on that in practice and we also talked about it before the game," senior forward Ja'Tavia Tapley said. "We made sure we set a goal and we actually met that goal."
The offensive production was distributed throughout the lineup, as nine players scored four or more points. Sophomore forward Jayde Van Hyfte posted her first career double-double with a career high-tying 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds while Tapley provided solid minutes off the bench with a career-high 18 points, to go with six rebounds four steals and two assists in 15 minutes of play. Tapley and Robbi Ryan (12 points) combined for 30 of ASU's 51 bench points.
"That is up there with one of our all-time efficient performances," ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne said of Tapley's performance. "She had a great game. She's really working hard."
?? DOUBLE-DOUBLE ??@VanHyfteJayde records her first career double-double! pic.twitter.com/1aEWBrcHiM
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) November 11, 2019
Notes
- ASU scored 32 points from second chances and 34 points off of turnovers.
- Senior guard Robbi Ryan made her season debut, scoring 12 points, going 2-2 from behind the arc, along with notching six rebounds and three assists.
- Jayde Van Hyfte earned her first career double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds).
- Ja'Tavia Tapley's career-high 18 points led the team's scoring.
- This was ASU's second game in a row with 80+ points (Air Force 87, Army 83).
A word with Charli Turner Thorne
Opening statement…
"I thought it was a good team win … I thought everybody got a little bit more consistent today. These teams, Air Force and Army, they're tough, they work hard. I thought, even though they're maybe not the most skilled teams that we'll play, I loved their fight and their relentlessness. I thought they were good games in that regard."
On Robbi Ryan returning to the lineup…
"It's just great knowing that you have her. That's how much we trust Robbi Ryan and what a great player she is. Yesterday was her first practice and it was a light practice. She just got put in and she was allowed to play 15 minutes and she wanted to make sure we got all 15 in. For coaches, it's very reassuring knowing that we have her back … It was awesome to have her back out there today, thought she looked good."
On Ja'Tavia Tapley's performance tonight…
"It just goes to show you, all you young basketball players out there that need more time, you don't. It's called going in there and making the most of every touch and every opportunity and being efficient. That is up there with one of our all-time efficient performances. She had a great game. She's really working hard. She's going to be a good pro."
On the tempo of tonight's game…
"We're trying to just work on pace, pacing the full-court. We want to run. We want to pick up. Obviously in the quarter court we want to get organized, be patient, but still play fast. I think our younger kids are still getting used to that. They're kind of a little slowed, but our first group when they come in they're looking really sharp right now. We can get better, but I don't know too many teams that are really good offensive teams that play slow."
Up Next For The Sun Devils
The Sun Devils (2-0) return to action on the road against No. 23 Minnesota (1-1) on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT/2 p.m. MT.