ESTERO, Fla. – Robbi Ryan's two free throws with 29 seconds left proved to be the difference in the Arizona State women's basketball team's 61-60 win over Middle Tennessee in the third-place game of the Gulf Coast Showcase.
Ryan (13 points, four rebounds) and freshman post Eboni Walker (12 points, six rebounds) combined for 25 points –16 of them coming in the second half when they had eight points apiece – and 10 rebounds.
All three of ASU's freshmen had significant contributions in the win as Sara Bejedi had eight points and a team-high eight rebounds while Sydnei Caldwell added five points and a team-high three steals.
As has been the case all season, the Sun Devils had the advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Blue Raiders 39-35. Eight players had three or more rebounds. Walker (five) and Jayde Van Hyfte (four) combined for nine of ASU's 16 offensive rebounds.
ASU held Middle Tennessee to only 27 percent from the floor in the first half. Ryan and Caldwell (five points each) were among eight Sun Devils who scored over the first 20 minutes to help the Sun Devils to a 30-20 halftime lead.
The third quarter was the best of the game offensively for the Blue Raiders (5-3), who scored 22 points, the most scored in a quarter by either team. Walker led ASU with six points in the third quarter while Ryan had four for the Sun Devils, who went to the fourth quarter with a 49-42 lead.
The Blue Raiders got within three points early in the final quarter before Ja'Tavia Tapley and Ryan responded with consecutive baskets to build ASU's lead back up to seven points, 55-48.
ASU would eventually take an eight-point lead after Bejedi's layup with 3:35 remaining.
Middle Tennessee responded with a 9-0 run to go up 60-59 on Courtney Whitson's 3-pointer – MT's second triple in 90 seconds – with 1:01 remaining.
Ryan was fouled on ASU's ensuing possession and, just like she did last March when she hit two free throws in the final seconds to help ASU defeat Miami and send the Sun Devils to the Sweet 16, Ryan calmly made both throws to put ASU up 61-60 with 29 seconds left.
The Blue Raiders had a chance to win at the opposite end but, thanks to great defense by Ryan, Anatasia Hayes' jumper at the buzzer failed to draw iron and the Sun Devils came away with the win.
The Sun Devils return to action on Friday (6 p.m. MST) when they host BYU at Desert Financial Arena.
Ryan (13 points, four rebounds) and freshman post Eboni Walker (12 points, six rebounds) combined for 25 points –16 of them coming in the second half when they had eight points apiece – and 10 rebounds.
All three of ASU's freshmen had significant contributions in the win as Sara Bejedi had eight points and a team-high eight rebounds while Sydnei Caldwell added five points and a team-high three steals.
As has been the case all season, the Sun Devils had the advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Blue Raiders 39-35. Eight players had three or more rebounds. Walker (five) and Jayde Van Hyfte (four) combined for nine of ASU's 16 offensive rebounds.
ASU held Middle Tennessee to only 27 percent from the floor in the first half. Ryan and Caldwell (five points each) were among eight Sun Devils who scored over the first 20 minutes to help the Sun Devils to a 30-20 halftime lead.
The third quarter was the best of the game offensively for the Blue Raiders (5-3), who scored 22 points, the most scored in a quarter by either team. Walker led ASU with six points in the third quarter while Ryan had four for the Sun Devils, who went to the fourth quarter with a 49-42 lead.
The Blue Raiders got within three points early in the final quarter before Ja'Tavia Tapley and Ryan responded with consecutive baskets to build ASU's lead back up to seven points, 55-48.
ASU would eventually take an eight-point lead after Bejedi's layup with 3:35 remaining.
Middle Tennessee responded with a 9-0 run to go up 60-59 on Courtney Whitson's 3-pointer – MT's second triple in 90 seconds – with 1:01 remaining.
Ryan was fouled on ASU's ensuing possession and, just like she did last March when she hit two free throws in the final seconds to help ASU defeat Miami and send the Sun Devils to the Sweet 16, Ryan calmly made both throws to put ASU up 61-60 with 29 seconds left.
The Blue Raiders had a chance to win at the opposite end but, thanks to great defense by Ryan, Anatasia Hayes' jumper at the buzzer failed to draw iron and the Sun Devils came away with the win.
The Sun Devils return to action on Friday (6 p.m. MST) when they host BYU at Desert Financial Arena.