LOS ANGELES – Despite a game-high 28 points scored by Tyi Skinner, the Sun Devil women's basketball team was not able to come away with a split on its trip to Los Angeles, falling to No. 14 UCLA 82-63 on Sunday.
For the second straight game, Skinner and fellow junior guards Treasure Hunt (18 points – her third consecutive game in double-figures – and Jaddan Simmons (10 points, game high-tying seven rebounds) all scored in double figures, to account for 56 of ASU's points.
With 28 points, Skinner not only notched her 11th 20-point game of the season but also came one point short of matching her career high of 29 points, accomplished twice this season: at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30) and vs. Missouri (Dec. 4). Her 28 points were the most points scored by an opposing player vs. UCLA this season. In addition, Skinner matched her career high with six 3-pointers, one triple short of matching the program's single-game record.
TYI SKINNER SUN DEVIL 20-POINT GAMES
29 vs. Missouri (Dec. 4, 2022)
29 at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30, 2022)
28 at UCLA (Feb. 5, 2003)
26 at Arizona (Dec. 29, 2022)
24 vs. American at Goombay Splash (Nov. 25, 2022)
24 at New Mexico (Nov. 20, 2022)
24 at Montana State (Nov. 14, 2022)
22 vs. Oregon State (Jan. 8, 2023)
22 at Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 11, 2022)
21 at Stanford (Dec. 31, 2022)
20 vs. Oregon (Jan. 6, 2023)
The Sun Devils (7-14, 0-12 Pac-12) started off the game on a 6-0 run. Hunt led the early scoring surge with seven of the team's first nine points.
ASU held UCLA (18-6, 6-5 Pac-12) to just six first-quarter field goals made on 33% shooting and trailed by 15-13 at the conclusion of the quarter.
ASU kept the game within two possessions throughout the entire second quarter and trailed 35-29 at the half. Hunt (11 points) – reached double figures in scoring in the first half for the first time in conference play this season – and Skinner (nine points) combined for 20 of ASU's points during the first 20 minutes.
WE'RE BATTLING ????
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) February 5, 2023
ASU 29 /// UCLA 30
??: https://t.co/1S2BLiEdnC#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/b7mrJibH03
After falling behind by 10 early in the third quarter, the Sun Devils were able to get back within six at the midpoint of the quarter. Skinner's 3-pointer that got ASU within six was the only field gold hit during a period in which it did not allow UCLA to score for 2:20. With ASU trailing by 12 later in quarter, Skinner hit her third 3-pointer of the quarter with 11 seconds remaining go get UCLA's lead down to single digits.
TOUGH ?? @ShowTim3_Tyi #ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/FC7L7acWwH
— Sun Devil WBB (@SunDevilWBB) February 5, 2023
UCLA extinguished any hope the Sun Devils had of coming back after the Bruins started the final quarter on a 14-3 run to go up by 20, 71-51, with 5:33 remaining.
QUOTES
Arizona State Women's Basketball Head Coach Natasha Adair
On the outlook of the game:
"It was another good game where I thought we played hard and we competed, and we made it hard for them in a lot of areas. As I sit here and look up and down the stat sheet … 28 rebounds isn't gonna get it done. It's just not. 9-for-18 from the free throw line, we went (there) and that's normally the goal. We're playing hard, and you just can't have a possession off. I thought we saw big minutes from Imi (Greenslade) today, I thought Syd (Erikstrup) gave us big minutes today, but just the little things. We had so many opportunities today at the rim that we just have to finish. We got to the free throw-line which means we were the aggressor. We were as aggressive as I wanted us to be. But just six offensive rebounds, we just have to be more intentional about getting those possessions back. It's not for a lack of fight or a lack of will and we just have to continue fighting."
On the defensive intensity:
"We were in every gap and our coaching staff does a phenomenal job of scouting and prep and even our players (do a great job). We're locked in to that scout but there were some easy transition baskets late and there were some opportunities that we didn't capitalize on late and every possession matters."
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils return to Desert Financial Arena for the start of a four-game homestand beginning on Friday, Feb. 10 vs. California at 7 p.m.
JADDAN SIMMONS DOUBLE DIGIT SCORING IN 2022-23
22 vs. Northern Arizona (Nov. 7, 2022)
20 vs. Washington St. (Jan. 27, 2023)
19 vs. Arizona (Jan. 22, 2023)
16 at New Mexico (Nov. 20, 2022)
15 at Montana St. (Nov. 15, 2022)
15 vs. Massachusetts (Dec. 2, 2022)
14 vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 26, 2023)
14 at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30, 2023)
14 at California (Jan. 2, 2023)
13 vs. Oregon St. (Jan. 8, 2023)
12 vs. Grambling St. (Nov. 11, 2022)
12 vs. American (Nov 25, 2022)
12 at USC (Feb. 3, 2023)
11 at SFA (Dec. 11, 2023)
11 vs Washington (Jan. 29, 2023)
10 at UCLA (Feb. 5, 2023_
10 vs. Oregon (Jan. 6, 2023)