MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The No. 19 Arizona State women's basketball team dropped its first game on Sunday, falling at Minnesota 80-66.
The Sun Devils (2-1) struggled from the floor, hitting only 34 percent of their shots. Ja'Tavia Tapley (16 points), Taya Hanson (14 points), Reili Richardson (10 points) and Robbi Ryan (10 points) all scored in double figures for the Sun Devils, who outrebounded the Gophers 43-34.
Minnesota (3-1) shot 50 percent for the game. After making only 20 percent (2-10) of their 3-pointers in the first half, the Gophers heated up after halftime making 75 percent (6-8) of their long-range attempts.
The Sun Devils trailed 20-9 after one quarter and found themselves down 34-20 midway through the second quarter. Consecutive baskets by Richardson, Hanson (3-pointer) and Iris Mbulito cut ASU's deficit in half. After the Gophers regained a 10-point advantage, Ryan responded by scoring the last five points of the half to get ASU within five points at the intermission, 37-32.
Minnesota led off the second half with an 11-2 run to take a 48-34 lead with 6:43 remaining. The Gophers eventually led by as many as 21 in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Richardson (3-pointer), Mbulito (fast break basket) and Hanson (back-to-back 3-pointers) all contributed to an 11-2 run in the span of just under two minutes to get ASU back within striking distance, 67-55 with 6:40 remaining.
The two teams combined for only four points (Minnesota 3, ASU 1) over the ensuing four-plus minutes. The Sun Devils got as close as 10 but the Gophers responded with a pair of 3-pointers in 13 seconds to end any hopes ASU had of making a comeback.
Tapley led ASU's rebounding effort with eight boards while Mbulito tied a career high with five assists. The Sun Devils had a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds but ended the game with only a slight 7-5 edge in second-chance points.
The Sun Devils return to action next Sunday (5 pm MST) when they host Cal Poly at Desert Financial Arena. The game can be seen via live stream at http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university and heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060. As part of Sun Devil Women's Basketball's Sunday FunDay promotion there will be FREE admission for kids 8th grade and younger and $5 tickets for parents and family using the promo code SUNDAY. Click here to purchase your tickets today.
The Sun Devils (2-1) struggled from the floor, hitting only 34 percent of their shots. Ja'Tavia Tapley (16 points), Taya Hanson (14 points), Reili Richardson (10 points) and Robbi Ryan (10 points) all scored in double figures for the Sun Devils, who outrebounded the Gophers 43-34.
Minnesota (3-1) shot 50 percent for the game. After making only 20 percent (2-10) of their 3-pointers in the first half, the Gophers heated up after halftime making 75 percent (6-8) of their long-range attempts.
The Sun Devils trailed 20-9 after one quarter and found themselves down 34-20 midway through the second quarter. Consecutive baskets by Richardson, Hanson (3-pointer) and Iris Mbulito cut ASU's deficit in half. After the Gophers regained a 10-point advantage, Ryan responded by scoring the last five points of the half to get ASU within five points at the intermission, 37-32.
Minnesota led off the second half with an 11-2 run to take a 48-34 lead with 6:43 remaining. The Gophers eventually led by as many as 21 in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Richardson (3-pointer), Mbulito (fast break basket) and Hanson (back-to-back 3-pointers) all contributed to an 11-2 run in the span of just under two minutes to get ASU back within striking distance, 67-55 with 6:40 remaining.
The two teams combined for only four points (Minnesota 3, ASU 1) over the ensuing four-plus minutes. The Sun Devils got as close as 10 but the Gophers responded with a pair of 3-pointers in 13 seconds to end any hopes ASU had of making a comeback.
Tapley led ASU's rebounding effort with eight boards while Mbulito tied a career high with five assists. The Sun Devils had a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds but ended the game with only a slight 7-5 edge in second-chance points.
The Sun Devils return to action next Sunday (5 pm MST) when they host Cal Poly at Desert Financial Arena. The game can be seen via live stream at http://pac-12.com/live/arizona-state-university and heard on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060. As part of Sun Devil Women's Basketball's Sunday FunDay promotion there will be FREE admission for kids 8th grade and younger and $5 tickets for parents and family using the promo code SUNDAY. Click here to purchase your tickets today.