WHEN: Saturday at 2 p.m. MST
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
TICKETS: Click here to purchase
TELEVISION: Pac-12 Arizona
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE AUDIO: Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel
LIVE STATS: Click here
PROMOTION: Fans are encouraged to join the team in wearing gold in recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness.
UP NEXT
The Arizona State women's basketball team (7-2) will be looking for its fourth straight win on Saturday (2 p.m. MST) when it hosts Mountain West foe New Mexico (7-3) at Desert Financial Arena.
Saturday's game against the Lobos will be ASU's third straight at home. The Sun Devils started their current homestand with a pair of hard-fought wins over BYU (60-52) and Idaho State (74-69 in OT) last weekend. Senior post Ja'Tavia Tapley recorded double-doubles in both games and averaged 13.0 ppg/14.5 rpg for the weekend. Tapley's 18 rebounds against BYU were the most by a Sun Devil in a single game in more than 20 years. Senior guard Reili Richardson had a season-high 15 points against BYU and senior guard Kiara Russell had a career-high 14 points against Idaho State.
ASU started the 2019-20 campaign with pair of double-digit home wins, defeating Air Force 87-56 (Nov. 5) and Army 83-51 (Nov. 10). Leading the way were Tapley (14.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and freshman post Jayde Van Hyfte (12.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), who combined to average 26.5 ppg and 13.0 rpg. The duo also combined to shoot 65.6 percent from the floor. Both players had career nights in ASU's win over Army as Tapley scored a (then) career-high 18 points, to go with six rebounds four steals and two assists, while Van Hyfte notched her first career double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds).
The Sun Devils came up short in their first road contest of the season, falling at Minnesota 80-66 (Nov. 17). ASU struggled from the floor, hitting only 34 percent of its shots against the Gophers. Tapley (16 points), sophomore guard Taya Hanson (career-high 14 points), senior guard Reili Richardson (10 points) and senior guard Robbi Ryan (10 points) all scored in double figures for the Sun Devils, who outrebounded the Gophers 43-34.
ASU rebounded with a 66-41 win over Cal Poly on Nov. 24. For the second time in three games, Tapley posted a career-high in scoring with 23 points while Van Hyfte pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds.
ASU spent Thanksgiving weekend in Estero, Fla., where it won two of three games – defeated Maine (57-31) and Middle Tennessee (61-60) and lost to Purdue (59-52) – at the Gulf Coast Showcase. Hanson (9.3 ppg), Ryan (8.3 ppg), Tapley (7.3 ppg) and freshman post Eboni Walker (7.3 ppg) were ASU's top scorers for the weekend. Van Hyfte was ASU's leading rebounder, averaging 7.7 boards in the three games. Van Hyfte (6-9/66.7 pct.) and Walker (10-20/50 pct.) combined to shoot 55 percent for the weekend. All three of ASU's freshmen had significant contributions in the win over Middle Tennessee. Walker had eight of her 12 points in the second half. Sara Bejedi had eight points and a team-high eight rebounds and Sydnei Caldwell added five points and a team-high three steals.
COVERAGE
Saturday's game vs. New Mexico will be televised by Pac-12 Arizona (Cindy Brunson, Joan Bonvicini). The game can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060 and the Sun Devil Athletics TuneIn Channel. Pregame coverage will start at 1:30 p.m. Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 and 2019 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 16th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• ASU leads the all-time series with New Mexico 9-7 in games that date back to the 1975-76 season. ASU has won the last three and six of the last nine meetings overall, most recently a 55-40 win in 2010 in Tempe.
• ASU is 65-13 (.833) in non-conference play since 2013. During that same stretch it is also 73-13 (.849) at home.
• The Sun Devils come into Saturday's game ranked among the top 40 in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (2nd/19.2 rpg), rebound margin (6th/+13.2), steals per game (26th/11.4) and scoring defense (32nd/55.4)
• ASU is ranked among the top third in the Pac-12 in rebounding defense (1st/30.1 rpg), offensive rebounds per game (1st/19.2 rpg), rebounding margin (1st/+13.2), steals (4th/11.4 spg) and turnover margin (4th/+3.7).
• ASU individual leaders in the Pac-12: Ja'Tavia Tapley: 6th in FT pct./73.2, 4th in rebounding/8.1 rpg, 9th in offensive rebounds/2.8 rpg, 17th in scoring/12.9 ppg; Jayde Van Hyfte: 2nd in offensive rebounds/3.9 rpg, 9th in rebounding/7.0 rpg; Eboni Walker: 5th in offensive rebounds/3.0 rpg; Kiara Russell: 4th in steals (2.0 spg).
• On average, ASU's bench has outscored the opponent's reserves 28.1-9.6.
• ASU has outrebounded all nine of its opponents.
• ASU has allowed 13 or fewer points in quarter 18 times this season (9x in single-digits).
• In last weekend's games, ASU outscored the opposition 41-18 in the third quarter to overcome deficits (trailed BYU by 12 and Idaho State by 6).
• Graduate transfer Ja'Tavia Tapley has proven to be a dominant presence thus far. She has played in every game (7 starts) and currently leads the team in scoring (12.9 ppg), rebounds (8.1) and free throws made (30) and attempted (41), is tied for 2nd in steals (1.4 spg), 3rd in FG pct. (48.9) and 4th in assists (1.8 apg). Tapley pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds in ASU's win over BYU (Dec. 6), the highest single-game rebound total in more than 20 years.
• Senior guard Reili Richardson is currently in third place on ASU's all-time list for career assists (481). She needs 3 assists to pass Elisha Davis (483/2013-16) for 2nd place and 54 more to pass Briann January, ASU's all-time assists leader (534/2006-09).
• Jayde Van Hyfte has grabbed 10 or more rebounds three times this season. She is shooting 67 percent (12-18) in ASU's last five games.
• Starting senior post Jamie Ruden, senior guard Kiara Russell and reserve sophomore guard Jamie Loera have all missed time due to injury/illness. Ruden has missed ASU's last seven games, Russell missed two games and Loera all eight games. Starting senior guard Robbi Ryan missed the season opener and left ASU's game vs. Idaho State (Dec. 8) early in the second quarter due to injury.
• ASU is currently in the midst of stretch in which it is playing five of six games at home. ASU's only road game this month is on Dec. 18 when it plays at New Mexico State. The Sun Devils open Pac-12 play on Dec. 29 when they host Arizona.