LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Freshman Eboni Walker scored a team- and season-high 13 points while Ja'Tavia Tapley added 11 points to help the Arizona State women's basketball team win its fifth consecutive game, 70-47 over New Mexico State on Wednesday.
Sophomore Iris Mbulito also scored in double figures with 10 points for the Sun Devils, who had eight players with five or more points. Walker and Mbulito combined for 23 of ASU's 31 bench points in the game.
Senior starters Robbi Ryan (nine points), Reili Richardson (eight points) and Kiara Russell (six points, game-high five assists) were also significant contributors for ASU in the win.
The Sun Devils, who came into the game ranked third in the nation in rebound margin and second in offensive rebounds, once controlled the boards with plus-five advantages in both overall rebounds (37-32) and offensive rebounds (10-5). Jayde Van Hyfte and Tapley both tied for the team lead with five rebounds.
The Sun Devils (9-2) took control of the game during the middle two quarters when they outscored NMSU 39-10.
Leading 14-11 after the first quarter, the Sun Devils scored the first 15 points of the second frame to swell their lead to 29-11 after Walker's jumper with 2:26 remaining in the half. NMSU's first points of the quarter did not come until Adrianna Henderson's hoop with 1:45 left. Taya Hanson's 3-pointer in the final minute helped ASU take a 32-15 lead into the locker room.
The Sun Devils came into the game having outscored the opposition 68-28 in the third quarter of their last three contests. They would hold true to form as they outscored NMSU 21-6 in the third period of Wednesday's game. Van Hyfte (five points) and Ryan (two points) helped the Sun Devils start the second half with a 7-0 run to extend ASU's advantage to 39-15. Walker's bucket in the final minute of the quarter gave the Sun Devils their biggest lead of the game, 53-21.
With their fifth straight win on Wednesday, the Sun Devils have now had winning streaks of five or more games 25 times since 2004.
The Sun Devils will close out non-conference play on Friday when they host Creighton at 2 p.m. at Desert Financial Arena.
Sophomore Iris Mbulito also scored in double figures with 10 points for the Sun Devils, who had eight players with five or more points. Walker and Mbulito combined for 23 of ASU's 31 bench points in the game.
Senior starters Robbi Ryan (nine points), Reili Richardson (eight points) and Kiara Russell (six points, game-high five assists) were also significant contributors for ASU in the win.
The Sun Devils, who came into the game ranked third in the nation in rebound margin and second in offensive rebounds, once controlled the boards with plus-five advantages in both overall rebounds (37-32) and offensive rebounds (10-5). Jayde Van Hyfte and Tapley both tied for the team lead with five rebounds.
The Sun Devils (9-2) took control of the game during the middle two quarters when they outscored NMSU 39-10.
Leading 14-11 after the first quarter, the Sun Devils scored the first 15 points of the second frame to swell their lead to 29-11 after Walker's jumper with 2:26 remaining in the half. NMSU's first points of the quarter did not come until Adrianna Henderson's hoop with 1:45 left. Taya Hanson's 3-pointer in the final minute helped ASU take a 32-15 lead into the locker room.
The Sun Devils came into the game having outscored the opposition 68-28 in the third quarter of their last three contests. They would hold true to form as they outscored NMSU 21-6 in the third period of Wednesday's game. Van Hyfte (five points) and Ryan (two points) helped the Sun Devils start the second half with a 7-0 run to extend ASU's advantage to 39-15. Walker's bucket in the final minute of the quarter gave the Sun Devils their biggest lead of the game, 53-21.
With their fifth straight win on Wednesday, the Sun Devils have now had winning streaks of five or more games 25 times since 2004.
The Sun Devils will close out non-conference play on Friday when they host Creighton at 2 p.m. at Desert Financial Arena.