CANCUN, Mexico – A slow start coupled with a difficult day from long range prevented the Sun Devil women's basketball team from consecutive wins following a 68-60 setback to Houston on the first day of play at the Cancun Challenge.
After coming within one triple of matching the program's single-game record for 3-pointers in Sunday's win over Marist, the Sun Devils (2-3) were only able to connect on 18 percent (3-17) of their attempts from beyond the arc on Thursday. Inside the arc, ASU hit 47 percent of its shots while also sinking 83 percent of its free throw attempts (15-18).
Jaddan Simmons (16 points) and Ayzhiana Basallo (10 points) were ASU's top scorers while Taya Hanson and Jade Loville had nine points each. Mael Gilles nearly posted a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds to go with three assists and three steals.
The Cougars (3-2) had trio of players account for a team-high 12 points each – Tatyana Hill, Dymond Gladney and Tiara Young.
Houston knocked down 67 percent of its shots in the first quarter to jump out to a 22-12 lead after 10 minutes.
Trailing by as many as 17 in the final minutes of the second quarter, the Sun Devils used a 6-0 run – Hanson (two points) and Imogen Greenslade (four points) – to go to the half down by 11, 39-28.
After a Houston field goal extended the Cougars' lead to 13, the Sun Devils came through with their best sequence of the game as Isadora Sousa, who made her Sun Devil debut on Thursday, Simmons, Gilles and Basallo teamed up to score the game's next eight point to get ASU within five, 46-41.
ASU started the fourth quarter down by six, a margin that would more than double after the Cougars started the period with a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 60-46.
Basallo hit 3-pointers to start and end a 12-4 run to once again pull the Sun Devils within six, 64-58, with 80 seconds remaining.
The Sun Devils were once again without Jayde Van Hyfte, one of ASU's top post performers. Van Hyfte, who started every game in 2019-20, has not played since last season's season opener.
Thursday's game was the first of three the Sun Devils are playing in as many days. They will resume play at the Cancun Challenge tomorrow when they play No. 6 Baylor (9 am MST/11 am EST) and then close out play vs. Fordham on Saturday (9 am MST/11 am EST).
ASU's games at the Cancun Challenge can be seen via live stream for a fee on FloHoops.com. The games can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060. Pregame coverage will start 30 minutes before each game.
After coming within one triple of matching the program's single-game record for 3-pointers in Sunday's win over Marist, the Sun Devils (2-3) were only able to connect on 18 percent (3-17) of their attempts from beyond the arc on Thursday. Inside the arc, ASU hit 47 percent of its shots while also sinking 83 percent of its free throw attempts (15-18).
Jaddan Simmons (16 points) and Ayzhiana Basallo (10 points) were ASU's top scorers while Taya Hanson and Jade Loville had nine points each. Mael Gilles nearly posted a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds to go with three assists and three steals.
The Cougars (3-2) had trio of players account for a team-high 12 points each – Tatyana Hill, Dymond Gladney and Tiara Young.
Houston knocked down 67 percent of its shots in the first quarter to jump out to a 22-12 lead after 10 minutes.
Trailing by as many as 17 in the final minutes of the second quarter, the Sun Devils used a 6-0 run – Hanson (two points) and Imogen Greenslade (four points) – to go to the half down by 11, 39-28.
After a Houston field goal extended the Cougars' lead to 13, the Sun Devils came through with their best sequence of the game as Isadora Sousa, who made her Sun Devil debut on Thursday, Simmons, Gilles and Basallo teamed up to score the game's next eight point to get ASU within five, 46-41.
ASU started the fourth quarter down by six, a margin that would more than double after the Cougars started the period with a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 60-46.
Basallo hit 3-pointers to start and end a 12-4 run to once again pull the Sun Devils within six, 64-58, with 80 seconds remaining.
The Sun Devils were once again without Jayde Van Hyfte, one of ASU's top post performers. Van Hyfte, who started every game in 2019-20, has not played since last season's season opener.
Thursday's game was the first of three the Sun Devils are playing in as many days. They will resume play at the Cancun Challenge tomorrow when they play No. 6 Baylor (9 am MST/11 am EST) and then close out play vs. Fordham on Saturday (9 am MST/11 am EST).
ASU's games at the Cancun Challenge can be seen via live stream for a fee on FloHoops.com. The games can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060. Pregame coverage will start 30 minutes before each game.