THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (6-3) at Stephen F. Austin (6-2)
WHEN: Sunday at 4 p.m. CST/3 p.m. MST
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum • Nacogdoches, Texas
LIVE STREAM: ESPN+ (subscription required to watch)
RADIO: KAZG 1440 AM
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (6-3) will attempt to end a two-game losing streak and keep its perfect record in true road games (3-0) intact when it plays at Stephen F. Austin (6-2) on Sunday (4 p.m. CST/3 p.m. MST).
IN CASE YOU ARE JUST JOINING US
• After reeling off five wins in as many games for the program's best start since 2002-03, ASU has since dropped three of four contests, a sequence that started with an 85-65 loss to current-No. 5 Notre Dame (Nov. 26) at the Goombay Splash in Bimini, Bahamas. The Sun Devils led the Irish by three points at the half and were tied with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Notre Dame used a 12-2 run to gain control of the game on its way to the win.
• ASU's most recent contest, a 70-61 loss at home to Missouri, was equal parts playing a good opponent and a sudden change in the team's overall health as it had to play without starting guard Jaddan Simmons and key reserves Isadora Sousa and Journey Thompson, who were all out of the lineup (the availability of all three players is being evaluated on a game-to-game basis). The Missouri contest concluded a period in which ASU played six games in 15 days. ASU once again expects its lack of depth to once again be a challenge in today's game.
• Junior guard Tyi Skinner comes into today's game No. 10 in the nation in scoring (20.9 ppg) and No. 2 in the Pac-12 in number of 20-point games (5). Skinner and Simmons have both scored in double figures in every game they have played in.
• Junior guard Treasure Hunt, who averaged close to a double-double in the season's first six games (11.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), did not play in ASU's win at Grand Canyon after incurring a foot injury vs. Notre Dame. Although she played in both of ASU's losses last week, her averages of 3.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg were far off her per-game averages before the game at GCU.
NOTES ON THE OPPOSITION
SFA (6-2) is ranked among the top 50 teams in the nation and leads the Western Athletic Conference in field goal percentage (23rd/47.0), rebound margin (40th/+8.6) and assists per game (42nd/16.5). The Lady Jacks (28-5 last season) are coming off a 2021-22 campaign in which they won WAC regular season and tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The LadyJacks, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, were picked by the coaches and the media to repeat as conference champions this year by both the media and coaches. ASU has won its three previous meetings vs. SFA, most recently the 2020-21 season opener, 56-47 in Tempe.
RANKINGS OF NOTE (AS OF DEC. 10)
• As a team, ASU is ranked among the top third in the Pac-12 in FT attempts per game (1st/25.0/8th in the nation), FTs made per game (2nd/18.22/8th in the nation) and fewest turnovers per game (4th/13.1/30th in the nation).
• Skinner leads the Pac-12 in scoring (20.9 ppg/10th in the nation), and FTs made (53/10th in the nation) and attempted (64/18th in the nation), is second in minutes per game (36.09/29th in the nation), fifth in steals per game (2.2) and sixth in FT percentage (82.8). Simmons leads the Pac-12 in minutes per game (36.87/12th in the nation, is second in the Pac-12 in FTs made (46/23rd in the nation) and attempted (55/42nd in the nation), fifth in FT percentage (83.6) and eighth in points per game (15.0).
• Hunt is 9th in the Pac-12 in rebounds per game (7.5).
CURRENT TRENDS
• Two Sun Devils are averaging double figures in scoring: junior guard and Delaware transfer Tyi Skinner (20.9 ppg), returning junior guard Jaddan Simmons (15.0 ppg). Skinner has the highest single-game point total by a Sun Devil after scoring a career-high 29 points at GCU (Nov. 30) and again vs. Missouri (Dec. 4). She also had three consecutive 24-point games: at Montana State (Nov. 15), at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and vs. American at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25). Simmons tied her career high in scoring with 22 points vs. NAU (Nov. 7).
• Skinner leads the team in scoring (20.9 ppg), FTs made (53) and attempted (64), 3-point FG pct. (35.6), steals (2.2 spg) and 3-pointers per game (2.6) and is second in free throw pct (82.8) and assists (2.1 apg).
• Simmons leads the team in assists (2.9 apg), free throw percentage (83.6) and blocks (0.9 bpg) and is second in scoring (15.0 ppg), FTs made (46) and attempted (55) and steals per game (1.8), 3-point FG percentage (35.3) and is tied for second in 3-pointers per game (0.8).
• Junior guard Treasure Hunt, who averaged close to a double-double in the season's first six games (11.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), did not play in ASU's win at Grand Canyon after incurring a foot injury vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 26). Although she played in both of ASU's losses last week, her averages of 3.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg were far off her per-game averages before the game at GCU. Hunt became the first Sun Devil to account for a double-double this season with 13 points/11 rebounds in ASU's win over Grambling State (Nov. 11). She added her second with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20). Hunt poured in a career-high 19 points at Montana State (Nov. 15). She still leads ASU in rebounding (7.5 rpg) and defensive rebounds (6.0 apg) and is third in scoring (9.0 ppg) and offensive rebounds (1.5 rpg).
• In addition to Hunt, Meg Newman (6.3 rpg) and grad center and TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah (5.7 rpg) have been ASU's top performers on the glass. Mokwuah (2.6 rpg) and Newman (2.6 rpg) are tied for the team lead in offensive rebounds per game.
• Newman, who made her Sun Devil debut in the 2022-23 season opener after missing the 2021-22 campaign due to injury, came up just short of claiming the first double-double of the season after her nine-point, 11-rebound outing vs. NAU. Newman's final rebound of the game sealed ASU's 69-68 win as she boarded NAU's initial attempt to win the game on its final possession. Newman (7.5 rpg) and Isadora Sousa (7.0 rpg/career-high 12 rebounds vs. American) were ASU's top rebounders at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26). Newman made her first start (in place of Treasure Hunt) vs. GCU (Nov. 30) and had her second 10-point outing of the season. Newman leads the team in FG percentage (51.1).
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is tied for second on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.8). Erikstrup posted career highs in scoring (11 points) and 3-pointers (3) in ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp averaged double figures in scoring (11.5 ppg) and connected on 60 percent of her field goals (9-15) at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26). Crisp, who made her first career start in place of Jaddan Simmons (illness) vs. Missouri on Dec. 4, is currently 3rd on the team in assists per game (2.0).
• Skinner and Simmons are the only two Sun Devils who have scored in double figures in every game they have played this season.
• Eight different Sun Devils (with respect to each individual's health status) are averaging at least 12.8 minutes per game this season.
• After accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the fourth quarter of ASU's comeback win at GCU, freshman Journey Thompson had her first career double-double vs. UMass on Friday) before getting injured prior to ASU's following game vs. Missouri (Dec. 4).
TIMELY DEVIL DEFENSE (AND OFFENSE) HAS CONTRIBUTED TO SUCCESS
When ASU has had no other choice but to be its absolute best at, it has answered the call at both ends of the floor.
• NAU did not score after going up 68-64 with 3:01 remaining (Nov. 7). ASU scored the game's last five points to edge NAU 69-68.
• In ASU's 79-64 win at Montana State, ASU's defense – and offense – both put on dominant performances early on as the Sun Devils scored the game's first 20 points in their eventual 79-64 win.
• ASU outscored New Mexico a combined 15-4 in the last two minutes of regulation (9-4 to force overtime) and overtime (6-0 to take control of the game) to come away with an 83-77 road win.
• Trailing by 11 at GCU in the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils rattled off a pair of stretches in which they outscored the Lopes 15-0 and 10-2. They outscored the Lopes 35-18 in the fourth quarter – the most points they have scored in a quarter in program history.
DEVILS NAVIGATING CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
After next Saturday, ASU will have played five of its non-conference games at home. Included in those games were tilts against 2022 NCAA Tournament participant and Atlantic-10 champion UMass (Dec. 2) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4) in the Briann January Classic. In the latter contest, a sudden spate of injuries proved to much for the Sun Devils to overcome. The Sun Devils led the Tigers 31-28 at the half. ASU's lack of depth due to its injury situation affected its ability to defend a Missouri squad with a proven knack for scoring the basketball. Ultimately, the Tigers outscored ASU in the second half in a 71-60 victory.
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85) and American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions, W, 70-61).
Other teams ASU faced that qualified for 2022 postseason play included road contests against Montana State (Nov. 15/NCAA First Round/W, 74-61), New Mexico (Nov. 20/WNIT Third Round, W, 83-77-OT), Grand Canyon (Nov. 30/WNIT First Round/W, 80-72) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11/NCAA First Round).
NOTES ON THE 2022-23 ROSTER
• New Sun Devil head coach Natasha Adair and her staff did an outstanding job of bringing in several talented players capable of making an immediate impact to join the core of talent that chose to commit to Adair after she was named head coach in late March. Adair was hired to assume the vacancy left by Sun Devil Hall of Fame coach Charli Turner Thorne, who announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
• Guards Jaddan Simmons, Sydney Erikstrup, Isadora Sousa, G/F Maggie Besselink and posts Imogen Greenslade and Meg Newman all remained Sun Devils. All six players are expected to play significant roles this season. Although she was on last year's roster, Meg Newman did not make her Sun Devil debut until the first game of the 2022-23 season as she missed her entire freshman campaign due to injury.
• Another player who chose to stay with the school she originally committed to was incoming freshman and local product Trayanna Crisp, who signed with ASU in November 2021. Adair and her staff were already familiar with Crisp as they recruited the standout guard when they were at Delaware.
• Knowing everything ASU and Sun Devil Athletics has to offer, Adair and her staff were confident in their ability to sign the players they had identified from the pool of talent that included student-athletes in the transfer portal and freshman players who had yet to sign.
• Joining ASU from other college programs were a trio of impressive guards – sophomore Morasha Wiggins (North Carolina) and juniors Tyi Skinner (Delaware) and Treasure Hunt (Kentucky) – and an experienced post in fifth-year center Kayla Mokwuah (TCU).
• A pair of freshmen from Pennsylvania – guard Jaylah Robinson and post Journey Thompson – were also excited to come and be a part Adair's vision for Sun Devil Women's Basketball.
• Prior to the season, Adair summed up the process that took place over the offseason/fall camp of gelling the returners with the newcomers: "I think that's been the biggest thing we've focused on, especially in the off-season and summer when everyone got here. It's more about the culture of the team. You had six players that were here and then there was so much change. With the new players coming in, we still talked about why ASU? I think if you keep everyone focused on why ASU, their love for ASU, then it doesn't matter where the players came from. It's just where we are now. But we've spent so much time learning about one another, who we are, what makes us who we are, what's important, our heroes, our hardships and our highlights, and with young women, it's trust. I think everyday being consistent, showing up for one another, and just recognizing everyone's strength and every piece to the puzzle, then we talk about the masterpiece. Really excited about all the moving parts, and they're really working together nicely."
HOW WE GOT HERE
The Sun Devils started out the Natasha Adair era with a 69-68 win vs. Northern Arizona on Nov. 7. Junior guard Jaddan Simmons tied her career high with 22 points while junior Tyi Skinner added 12 points. In her debut for the Sun Devils, Meg Newman, who redshirted last season due to injury, nearly had a near double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. ASU held the Lumberjacks to zero points in the final three minutes of play and Simmons hit the game-tying and go-ahead free throws to get the hard-earned win.
ASU's win over Grambling State on Nov. 11 came in much less dramatic fashion as it led by 16 in the middle of the third quarter. After the Lady Tigers got back within nine points less than two minutes into the final frame, Skinner personally made sure ASU did not have a second-consecutive, one-possession game as she scored 11 of her game-high 16 points – and 11 of ASU's 16 points as a team – in the final quarter. Skinner could not miss as she swished all four of her field goals, including a pair of makes from downtown and hit the only free throw she attempted.
ASU started its five-game road swing with a 79-64 win at 2022 Big Sky Tournament champion/2022 NCAA Tournament participant Montana State (Nov. 15). ASU scored the first 20 points and led by as many as 27. Skinner (game-high 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting) came within a point of matching her career high in scoring while accounting for a career-best four steals. Hunt scored a career-high 19 points while leading the team with seven rebounds.
On Nov. 20, ASU had to go to overtime to remain unbeaten in a hard-fought 83-77 win at New Mexico. Skinner posted her second straight 24-point outing, while Kayla Mokwuah (16 points, 13 rebounds), Simmons (16 points) and Hunt (15 points, career-high 15 rebounds) also scored in double figures for the Sun Devils, who had to battle back from a five-point deficit in the final minutes to force overtime.
On Nov. 25, Skinner posted her third consecutive 24-point game, scoring 14 of ASU's 22 fourth-quarter points to help the Sun Devils outlast American, 70-61 at the Goombay Splash (played in Bimini, Bahamas) to improve ASU's record to 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
The following day, ASU came out on the short end for the first time this season, but not before showing it could play with one of the nation's best teams in an 85-65 setback to seventh-ranked Notre Dame. Skinner (15 points), Simmons (14 points) and Trayanna Crisp (11 points) combined for 40 of ASU's points. Skinner, who was named to the Goombay Division All-Tournament Team of the 2022 Goombay Splash, also paced ASU with a game-high three steals. Meg Newman was perfect from the floor (3-3 FGs) and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
ASU's first game in the state of Arizona since Nov. 11 was not back in the friendly confines of Desert Financial Arena but rather in front of a GCU women's basketball record crowd of 6,019 for the first contest between ASU and Grand Canyon since 1994. The game was dubbed by the home team as the "Battle for State Forty Eight." And a battle it was. Down by as many as 11 in the fourth quarter, and playing without one of its top performers, Treasure Hunt, the Sun Devils rattled off a pair of stretches in which they outscored the Lopes 15-0 and 10-2. In the end, the Sun Devils amassed a school record for most points in quarter (35) on their way to an 80-72 win. Tyi Skinner, who had an earlier streak of three-straight 24-point outings – at Montana State, at New Mexico, vs. American – one point short of tying her career high, scored 15 of her career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter at GCU.
Two nights later, ASU was back at home for the first time in 21 days against UMass, the defending Atlantic-10 Tournament champions and the preseason pick to win the conference this season. Playing from behind for most of the game, the Sun Devils were not able to replicate the same comeback magic from the win at Grand Canyon in an 88-64 loss to the Minutewomen. UMass shot 50 percent from the floor while the Sun Devils were only able to connect on 30 percent of their shots. Jaddan Simmons and Skinner tied for the team lead in scoring with 15 points each. Freshman Journey Thompson, who had numerous contributions in ASU's win at GCU, not only had career highs in scoring and rebounds but took it a step further with her first career double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds).
Despite Skinner's second career high-tying, 29-point performance in three games, ASU fell to Missouri 71-60 at home on Dec. 4. Against the Tigers, ASU's assignment was exponentially more difficult without Simmons (ASU's second-leading scorer), senior guard Isadora Sousa (prior to the UMass game, averaged seven rebounds in her three most recent outings in addition to providing the team with an important defensive presence) and freshman forward Journey Thompson (after accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the win at GCU, had her first career double-double vs. UMass on Friday) all did not not play in the loss to Missouri. In addition, Treasure Hunt, who averaged close to a double-double in the season's first six games (11.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg) did not play in the win at Grand Canyon after incurring a foot injury vs. Notre Dame. Although she played in both of ASU's losses last week, her averages of 3.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg were far off her per-game averages before the game at GCU. Despite the outcome, ASU head coach Natasha Adair admired the fight her team put up while missing key personnel.
"Of course, we were a little shorthanded. But I watched our group respond. We talked about playing on the defensive end for 40 minutes; playing with effort, energy," Adair said. "I thought from the tip to the final buzzer we did that."
SUN DEVIL WBB PARTICIPATES IN PAC-12-SWAC LEGACY SERIES
On Fri., Nov. 11 Arizona State hosted Grambling State as part of the inaugural Pac-12-SWAC Legacy Series. Announced in Sept. 2021, the partnership between the Pac-12 and SWAC is the first of its kind pertaining to basketball scheduling between Autonomy 5 and HBCU leagues, but also placed crucial emphasis on raising awareness for anti-racism and social justice initiatives.
A critical component of the Legacy Series is ongoing educational opportunities for student-athletes featuring community leaders and expert Conference alumni.
The event came on the heels of this past summer's Pac-12 ImPACt experience in Selma and Montgomery, Ala., in which conference student-athletes and administrators journeyed to the center of the civil rights movement.
"I think anytime we have an opportunity to talk about social issues and bring them to the forefront and use our platform, but also to merge with the Pac-12 and the SWAC," ASU head coach Natasha Adair said after the game. "I think it's our opportunity and our responsibility to make sure that we educate and grow our student-athletes and so to be able to talk. We [Arizona State and Grambling State] broke bread together [earlier in the week] and just had a really good time meeting one another.
"But it stands for more than just basketball. You have a responsibility, especially on this big stage to make sure we're not just coaching them on the court. We're coaching them and preparing them for life. And they will be able to grow as women and be empowered to speak up for things that they are passionate about, and just things to just affect change in society. I think it's really needed and just thankful to be a part of the conference that thought so."
WHEN: Sunday at 4 p.m. CST/3 p.m. MST
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum • Nacogdoches, Texas
LIVE STREAM: ESPN+ (subscription required to watch)
RADIO: KAZG 1440 AM
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (6-3) will attempt to end a two-game losing streak and keep its perfect record in true road games (3-0) intact when it plays at Stephen F. Austin (6-2) on Sunday (4 p.m. CST/3 p.m. MST).
IN CASE YOU ARE JUST JOINING US
• After reeling off five wins in as many games for the program's best start since 2002-03, ASU has since dropped three of four contests, a sequence that started with an 85-65 loss to current-No. 5 Notre Dame (Nov. 26) at the Goombay Splash in Bimini, Bahamas. The Sun Devils led the Irish by three points at the half and were tied with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Notre Dame used a 12-2 run to gain control of the game on its way to the win.
• ASU's most recent contest, a 70-61 loss at home to Missouri, was equal parts playing a good opponent and a sudden change in the team's overall health as it had to play without starting guard Jaddan Simmons and key reserves Isadora Sousa and Journey Thompson, who were all out of the lineup (the availability of all three players is being evaluated on a game-to-game basis). The Missouri contest concluded a period in which ASU played six games in 15 days. ASU once again expects its lack of depth to once again be a challenge in today's game.
• Junior guard Tyi Skinner comes into today's game No. 10 in the nation in scoring (20.9 ppg) and No. 2 in the Pac-12 in number of 20-point games (5). Skinner and Simmons have both scored in double figures in every game they have played in.
• Junior guard Treasure Hunt, who averaged close to a double-double in the season's first six games (11.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), did not play in ASU's win at Grand Canyon after incurring a foot injury vs. Notre Dame. Although she played in both of ASU's losses last week, her averages of 3.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg were far off her per-game averages before the game at GCU.
NOTES ON THE OPPOSITION
SFA (6-2) is ranked among the top 50 teams in the nation and leads the Western Athletic Conference in field goal percentage (23rd/47.0), rebound margin (40th/+8.6) and assists per game (42nd/16.5). The Lady Jacks (28-5 last season) are coming off a 2021-22 campaign in which they won WAC regular season and tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The LadyJacks, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, were picked by the coaches and the media to repeat as conference champions this year by both the media and coaches. ASU has won its three previous meetings vs. SFA, most recently the 2020-21 season opener, 56-47 in Tempe.
RANKINGS OF NOTE (AS OF DEC. 10)
• As a team, ASU is ranked among the top third in the Pac-12 in FT attempts per game (1st/25.0/8th in the nation), FTs made per game (2nd/18.22/8th in the nation) and fewest turnovers per game (4th/13.1/30th in the nation).
• Skinner leads the Pac-12 in scoring (20.9 ppg/10th in the nation), and FTs made (53/10th in the nation) and attempted (64/18th in the nation), is second in minutes per game (36.09/29th in the nation), fifth in steals per game (2.2) and sixth in FT percentage (82.8). Simmons leads the Pac-12 in minutes per game (36.87/12th in the nation, is second in the Pac-12 in FTs made (46/23rd in the nation) and attempted (55/42nd in the nation), fifth in FT percentage (83.6) and eighth in points per game (15.0).
• Hunt is 9th in the Pac-12 in rebounds per game (7.5).
CURRENT TRENDS
• Two Sun Devils are averaging double figures in scoring: junior guard and Delaware transfer Tyi Skinner (20.9 ppg), returning junior guard Jaddan Simmons (15.0 ppg). Skinner has the highest single-game point total by a Sun Devil after scoring a career-high 29 points at GCU (Nov. 30) and again vs. Missouri (Dec. 4). She also had three consecutive 24-point games: at Montana State (Nov. 15), at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and vs. American at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25). Simmons tied her career high in scoring with 22 points vs. NAU (Nov. 7).
• Skinner leads the team in scoring (20.9 ppg), FTs made (53) and attempted (64), 3-point FG pct. (35.6), steals (2.2 spg) and 3-pointers per game (2.6) and is second in free throw pct (82.8) and assists (2.1 apg).
• Simmons leads the team in assists (2.9 apg), free throw percentage (83.6) and blocks (0.9 bpg) and is second in scoring (15.0 ppg), FTs made (46) and attempted (55) and steals per game (1.8), 3-point FG percentage (35.3) and is tied for second in 3-pointers per game (0.8).
• Junior guard Treasure Hunt, who averaged close to a double-double in the season's first six games (11.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), did not play in ASU's win at Grand Canyon after incurring a foot injury vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 26). Although she played in both of ASU's losses last week, her averages of 3.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg were far off her per-game averages before the game at GCU. Hunt became the first Sun Devil to account for a double-double this season with 13 points/11 rebounds in ASU's win over Grambling State (Nov. 11). She added her second with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20). Hunt poured in a career-high 19 points at Montana State (Nov. 15). She still leads ASU in rebounding (7.5 rpg) and defensive rebounds (6.0 apg) and is third in scoring (9.0 ppg) and offensive rebounds (1.5 rpg).
• In addition to Hunt, Meg Newman (6.3 rpg) and grad center and TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah (5.7 rpg) have been ASU's top performers on the glass. Mokwuah (2.6 rpg) and Newman (2.6 rpg) are tied for the team lead in offensive rebounds per game.
• Newman, who made her Sun Devil debut in the 2022-23 season opener after missing the 2021-22 campaign due to injury, came up just short of claiming the first double-double of the season after her nine-point, 11-rebound outing vs. NAU. Newman's final rebound of the game sealed ASU's 69-68 win as she boarded NAU's initial attempt to win the game on its final possession. Newman (7.5 rpg) and Isadora Sousa (7.0 rpg/career-high 12 rebounds vs. American) were ASU's top rebounders at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26). Newman made her first start (in place of Treasure Hunt) vs. GCU (Nov. 30) and had her second 10-point outing of the season. Newman leads the team in FG percentage (51.1).
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is tied for second on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.8). Erikstrup posted career highs in scoring (11 points) and 3-pointers (3) in ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp averaged double figures in scoring (11.5 ppg) and connected on 60 percent of her field goals (9-15) at the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26). Crisp, who made her first career start in place of Jaddan Simmons (illness) vs. Missouri on Dec. 4, is currently 3rd on the team in assists per game (2.0).
• Skinner and Simmons are the only two Sun Devils who have scored in double figures in every game they have played this season.
• Eight different Sun Devils (with respect to each individual's health status) are averaging at least 12.8 minutes per game this season.
• After accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the fourth quarter of ASU's comeback win at GCU, freshman Journey Thompson had her first career double-double vs. UMass on Friday) before getting injured prior to ASU's following game vs. Missouri (Dec. 4).
TIMELY DEVIL DEFENSE (AND OFFENSE) HAS CONTRIBUTED TO SUCCESS
When ASU has had no other choice but to be its absolute best at, it has answered the call at both ends of the floor.
• NAU did not score after going up 68-64 with 3:01 remaining (Nov. 7). ASU scored the game's last five points to edge NAU 69-68.
• In ASU's 79-64 win at Montana State, ASU's defense – and offense – both put on dominant performances early on as the Sun Devils scored the game's first 20 points in their eventual 79-64 win.
• ASU outscored New Mexico a combined 15-4 in the last two minutes of regulation (9-4 to force overtime) and overtime (6-0 to take control of the game) to come away with an 83-77 road win.
• Trailing by 11 at GCU in the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils rattled off a pair of stretches in which they outscored the Lopes 15-0 and 10-2. They outscored the Lopes 35-18 in the fourth quarter – the most points they have scored in a quarter in program history.
DEVILS NAVIGATING CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
After next Saturday, ASU will have played five of its non-conference games at home. Included in those games were tilts against 2022 NCAA Tournament participant and Atlantic-10 champion UMass (Dec. 2) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4) in the Briann January Classic. In the latter contest, a sudden spate of injuries proved to much for the Sun Devils to overcome. The Sun Devils led the Tigers 31-28 at the half. ASU's lack of depth due to its injury situation affected its ability to defend a Missouri squad with a proven knack for scoring the basketball. Ultimately, the Tigers outscored ASU in the second half in a 71-60 victory.
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85) and American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions, W, 70-61).
Other teams ASU faced that qualified for 2022 postseason play included road contests against Montana State (Nov. 15/NCAA First Round/W, 74-61), New Mexico (Nov. 20/WNIT Third Round, W, 83-77-OT), Grand Canyon (Nov. 30/WNIT First Round/W, 80-72) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11/NCAA First Round).
NOTES ON THE 2022-23 ROSTER
• New Sun Devil head coach Natasha Adair and her staff did an outstanding job of bringing in several talented players capable of making an immediate impact to join the core of talent that chose to commit to Adair after she was named head coach in late March. Adair was hired to assume the vacancy left by Sun Devil Hall of Fame coach Charli Turner Thorne, who announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
• Guards Jaddan Simmons, Sydney Erikstrup, Isadora Sousa, G/F Maggie Besselink and posts Imogen Greenslade and Meg Newman all remained Sun Devils. All six players are expected to play significant roles this season. Although she was on last year's roster, Meg Newman did not make her Sun Devil debut until the first game of the 2022-23 season as she missed her entire freshman campaign due to injury.
• Another player who chose to stay with the school she originally committed to was incoming freshman and local product Trayanna Crisp, who signed with ASU in November 2021. Adair and her staff were already familiar with Crisp as they recruited the standout guard when they were at Delaware.
• Knowing everything ASU and Sun Devil Athletics has to offer, Adair and her staff were confident in their ability to sign the players they had identified from the pool of talent that included student-athletes in the transfer portal and freshman players who had yet to sign.
• Joining ASU from other college programs were a trio of impressive guards – sophomore Morasha Wiggins (North Carolina) and juniors Tyi Skinner (Delaware) and Treasure Hunt (Kentucky) – and an experienced post in fifth-year center Kayla Mokwuah (TCU).
• A pair of freshmen from Pennsylvania – guard Jaylah Robinson and post Journey Thompson – were also excited to come and be a part Adair's vision for Sun Devil Women's Basketball.
• Prior to the season, Adair summed up the process that took place over the offseason/fall camp of gelling the returners with the newcomers: "I think that's been the biggest thing we've focused on, especially in the off-season and summer when everyone got here. It's more about the culture of the team. You had six players that were here and then there was so much change. With the new players coming in, we still talked about why ASU? I think if you keep everyone focused on why ASU, their love for ASU, then it doesn't matter where the players came from. It's just where we are now. But we've spent so much time learning about one another, who we are, what makes us who we are, what's important, our heroes, our hardships and our highlights, and with young women, it's trust. I think everyday being consistent, showing up for one another, and just recognizing everyone's strength and every piece to the puzzle, then we talk about the masterpiece. Really excited about all the moving parts, and they're really working together nicely."
HOW WE GOT HERE
The Sun Devils started out the Natasha Adair era with a 69-68 win vs. Northern Arizona on Nov. 7. Junior guard Jaddan Simmons tied her career high with 22 points while junior Tyi Skinner added 12 points. In her debut for the Sun Devils, Meg Newman, who redshirted last season due to injury, nearly had a near double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. ASU held the Lumberjacks to zero points in the final three minutes of play and Simmons hit the game-tying and go-ahead free throws to get the hard-earned win.
ASU's win over Grambling State on Nov. 11 came in much less dramatic fashion as it led by 16 in the middle of the third quarter. After the Lady Tigers got back within nine points less than two minutes into the final frame, Skinner personally made sure ASU did not have a second-consecutive, one-possession game as she scored 11 of her game-high 16 points – and 11 of ASU's 16 points as a team – in the final quarter. Skinner could not miss as she swished all four of her field goals, including a pair of makes from downtown and hit the only free throw she attempted.
ASU started its five-game road swing with a 79-64 win at 2022 Big Sky Tournament champion/2022 NCAA Tournament participant Montana State (Nov. 15). ASU scored the first 20 points and led by as many as 27. Skinner (game-high 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting) came within a point of matching her career high in scoring while accounting for a career-best four steals. Hunt scored a career-high 19 points while leading the team with seven rebounds.
On Nov. 20, ASU had to go to overtime to remain unbeaten in a hard-fought 83-77 win at New Mexico. Skinner posted her second straight 24-point outing, while Kayla Mokwuah (16 points, 13 rebounds), Simmons (16 points) and Hunt (15 points, career-high 15 rebounds) also scored in double figures for the Sun Devils, who had to battle back from a five-point deficit in the final minutes to force overtime.
On Nov. 25, Skinner posted her third consecutive 24-point game, scoring 14 of ASU's 22 fourth-quarter points to help the Sun Devils outlast American, 70-61 at the Goombay Splash (played in Bimini, Bahamas) to improve ASU's record to 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
The following day, ASU came out on the short end for the first time this season, but not before showing it could play with one of the nation's best teams in an 85-65 setback to seventh-ranked Notre Dame. Skinner (15 points), Simmons (14 points) and Trayanna Crisp (11 points) combined for 40 of ASU's points. Skinner, who was named to the Goombay Division All-Tournament Team of the 2022 Goombay Splash, also paced ASU with a game-high three steals. Meg Newman was perfect from the floor (3-3 FGs) and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
ASU's first game in the state of Arizona since Nov. 11 was not back in the friendly confines of Desert Financial Arena but rather in front of a GCU women's basketball record crowd of 6,019 for the first contest between ASU and Grand Canyon since 1994. The game was dubbed by the home team as the "Battle for State Forty Eight." And a battle it was. Down by as many as 11 in the fourth quarter, and playing without one of its top performers, Treasure Hunt, the Sun Devils rattled off a pair of stretches in which they outscored the Lopes 15-0 and 10-2. In the end, the Sun Devils amassed a school record for most points in quarter (35) on their way to an 80-72 win. Tyi Skinner, who had an earlier streak of three-straight 24-point outings – at Montana State, at New Mexico, vs. American – one point short of tying her career high, scored 15 of her career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter at GCU.
Two nights later, ASU was back at home for the first time in 21 days against UMass, the defending Atlantic-10 Tournament champions and the preseason pick to win the conference this season. Playing from behind for most of the game, the Sun Devils were not able to replicate the same comeback magic from the win at Grand Canyon in an 88-64 loss to the Minutewomen. UMass shot 50 percent from the floor while the Sun Devils were only able to connect on 30 percent of their shots. Jaddan Simmons and Skinner tied for the team lead in scoring with 15 points each. Freshman Journey Thompson, who had numerous contributions in ASU's win at GCU, not only had career highs in scoring and rebounds but took it a step further with her first career double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds).
Despite Skinner's second career high-tying, 29-point performance in three games, ASU fell to Missouri 71-60 at home on Dec. 4. Against the Tigers, ASU's assignment was exponentially more difficult without Simmons (ASU's second-leading scorer), senior guard Isadora Sousa (prior to the UMass game, averaged seven rebounds in her three most recent outings in addition to providing the team with an important defensive presence) and freshman forward Journey Thompson (after accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the win at GCU, had her first career double-double vs. UMass on Friday) all did not not play in the loss to Missouri. In addition, Treasure Hunt, who averaged close to a double-double in the season's first six games (11.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg) did not play in the win at Grand Canyon after incurring a foot injury vs. Notre Dame. Although she played in both of ASU's losses last week, her averages of 3.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg were far off her per-game averages before the game at GCU. Despite the outcome, ASU head coach Natasha Adair admired the fight her team put up while missing key personnel.
"Of course, we were a little shorthanded. But I watched our group respond. We talked about playing on the defensive end for 40 minutes; playing with effort, energy," Adair said. "I thought from the tip to the final buzzer we did that."
SUN DEVIL WBB PARTICIPATES IN PAC-12-SWAC LEGACY SERIES
On Fri., Nov. 11 Arizona State hosted Grambling State as part of the inaugural Pac-12-SWAC Legacy Series. Announced in Sept. 2021, the partnership between the Pac-12 and SWAC is the first of its kind pertaining to basketball scheduling between Autonomy 5 and HBCU leagues, but also placed crucial emphasis on raising awareness for anti-racism and social justice initiatives.
A critical component of the Legacy Series is ongoing educational opportunities for student-athletes featuring community leaders and expert Conference alumni.
The event came on the heels of this past summer's Pac-12 ImPACt experience in Selma and Montgomery, Ala., in which conference student-athletes and administrators journeyed to the center of the civil rights movement.
"I think anytime we have an opportunity to talk about social issues and bring them to the forefront and use our platform, but also to merge with the Pac-12 and the SWAC," ASU head coach Natasha Adair said after the game. "I think it's our opportunity and our responsibility to make sure that we educate and grow our student-athletes and so to be able to talk. We [Arizona State and Grambling State] broke bread together [earlier in the week] and just had a really good time meeting one another.
"But it stands for more than just basketball. You have a responsibility, especially on this big stage to make sure we're not just coaching them on the court. We're coaching them and preparing them for life. And they will be able to grow as women and be empowered to speak up for things that they are passionate about, and just things to just affect change in society. I think it's really needed and just thankful to be a part of the conference that thought so."