THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (7-7, 0-3 Pac-12) vs. No. 18/17 Oregon (11-3, 2-1 Pac-12)
WHEN: Friday at 6 p.m. MST
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
TV: Pac-12 Arizona
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
After playing its first three Pac-12 games on the road – including contests at current No. 15 Arizona and No. 2 Stanford – the Sun Devil women's basketball team (7-7, 0-3 Pac-12) returns to home to host No. 18 Oregon (11-3, 2-1) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Oregon State (9-5, 1-2) on Sunday at 11 a.m.
As challenging as ASU's on-conference schedule was – eight of its 11 contests were vs. teams that qualified for postseason play in 2022 – the beginning of conference play meant an even higher degree of difficulty with three road games in five days.
After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half at Arizona, ASU put together a 9-2 run that started in the last two minutes of the first half and culminated with a 3- pointer by junior guard Treasure Hunt that got ASU back within single digits. UA scored the next seven points starting a scoring run that eventually put the game out of reach. At Stanford, the difficulty of ASU's task of trying to upset the No. 2 team on its homecourt became exponentially more difficult after the Cardinal jumped out to a 16-3 lead. At Cal, after Treasure Hunt tied the game at 55-55 in the first minute of the fourth quarter, ASU suddenly hit a cold spell on the offensive end. Over a period of seven-plus minutes the Sun Devils saw their ability to influence the outcome slowly slip away as the Bears methodically put together a game-deciding 12-0 scoring run. ASU still found itself in a 10-point hole, 67-57, after Skinner knocked down two free throws with 2:23 remaining
ASU was led in the three games by junior guard and the Pac-12's No. 2 scorer, Tyi Skinner, who averaged 19.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg. Skinner posted her first career double-double with 13 points/10 rebounds against Cal. Hunt added 15.0 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Skinner (10) and Hunt (7) combined for 17 triples in the three games. Jaddan Simmons had a team-high 14 points in the loss at Cal.
ASU was boosted by the return of senior guard Isadora Sousa, who played at Arizona for the first time since Nov. 30. After accounting for five points, five rebounds in her return, Sousa scored a season-high seven points in ASU's next two games at Stanford Cal. Sousa's return to the floor was tempered by an illness that limited the availability of freshman forward Journey Thompson. Recently elevated to the starting lineup, Thompson played only 14 minutes in the three games: started at Arizona (10 minutes), missed ASU's game at Stanford and returned in a reserve role at Cal (four minutes).
SERIES NOTES VERSUS OREGON
• Both of ASU's 2020-21 contests vs. Oregon were eventually canceled due to Covid-19 protocols. The first scheduled meeting of 2021-22 (Jan. 13, 2022) was had to be postponed for the same reason.
• Nearly two years elapsed between meetings (Feb. 9, 2020 - Feb. 1, 2022) when ASU and Oregon made up the initial postponement on Feb. 1, 2022 in Eugene, a game won by the Ducks 72-58. ASU evened the season series when it upset the No. 19 Ducks 55-49 on Feb. 6, 2022.
• Although ASU has won 29 of the last 40 meetings, the Ducks have won six of the last eight, sweeping the season series in 2018 (74-64 in Eugene/57-44 in Tempe) and 2019 (77-61 in Eugene/66-59 in Tempe).
• On Jan. 10, 2020, as the Sun Devils upset the second-ranked Ducks 72-66 in Tempe. Oregon would eventually get a split in the season series after it held serve on its home floor with a 79-48 win in Eugene.
IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE NAME TYI SKINNER YET... GET READY
Junior guard Tyi Skinner, who transferred to ASU from Delaware in the offseason, is quickly ascending to 'must-see' status for all basketball fans. In a sport in which one's height is usually the measurable most associated with its competitors, at five-foot-five, Skinner is more often than not making the biggest plays on the court.
Currently the owner of a Pac-12 high eight 20-point games this season, Skinner needs 50 points to reach 1000 for her career. Twenty-two of Skinner's 37 makes from long range have come in ASU's last six contests. She is shooting 45 pct from beyond the arc (22-49) and averaging 21.2 points during that stretch. In the first of those six games, vs. Missouri on Dec. 4, Skinner tied her career high in scoring for the second time in three games (29 points) and came one triple short of tying the single-game school record after knocking down six vs. the Tigers.
As of Jan. 5, Skinner, who has scored in double figures in every game, is 2nd in the Pac-12 and 17th in the nation in scoring (20.4 ppg). She is also among the Pac-12's leaders in free throws made (1st/69/19th in the nation) and attempted (2nd/83), minutes per game (2nd/35.6/35th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (3rd/2.64), free throw percentage (5th/83.1), steals per game (5th/2.0) and 3-point FG percentage (7th/37.8).
Skinner's 20-point efforts include consecutive 24-point efforts at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and vs. American (Nov. 25), a pair of career-high 29-point games at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30) and vs. Missouri (Dec. 4) and a 26-point showing at Arizona (Dec. 29), the most points given up by the Wildcats this season.
While it is her scoring she has come to be known for, Skinner makes an effort to be a contributor no matter where she is on the court and no matter whether the ball is in her hands or not.
• Has had 3 or more steals 6x times this season, including a season/career-high 4 at Montana State (Nov. 15). Skinner also opened Pac-12 play with consecutive 3-steal games at Arizona (Dec. 29) and at Stanford (Dec. 31).
• In consecutive games, Skinner dished out 6 assists at SFA (Dec. 11) and followed that with a career high-tying 7 assists vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17).
• Has pulled down 5 or more rebounds 3x. In addition to scoring 13 points at Cal (Jan. 3), Skinner pulled down a team- and career-high 10 rebounds for the first double-double of her career.
SIMMONS' SOLID, STEADY PLAY IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ASU'S SUCCESS
With 50 starts in all 50 games she played in over her first two seasons, Jaddan Simmons was ASU's most experienced returning player this season. As great as Simmons' play was over her first two seasons in Tempe, she has taken it to even greater heights this season.
A starter in all 13 games she has played this season (missed ASU's game vs. Missouri on Dec. 14 due to illness), opened the 2022-23 campaign with nine straight double-digit scoring efforts, including a career high-tying 22 points in ASU's season opener vs. Northern Arizona (Nov. 7).
Like fellow backcourt teammate Tyi Skinner, Simmons is a difference maker no matter where she is on the court as she enters this weekend's games as the team leader in assists per game (3.0), minutes per game (36:35/16th in the Pac-12) and blocks per game (0.9), is 2nd in scoring (12.5 ppg), steals per game (1.5), free throws made (56/4th in the Pac-12) and attempted (72/4th in the Pac-12) and free throw percentage (77.8/9th in the Pac-12) and 5th in rebounds per game (3.8).
THIS TREASURE IS NOT HIDDEN
Junior guard Treasure Hunt joined ASU in the offseason after playing her first two seasons at Kentucky where she started 30 of 45 games.
Hunt had a strong start to the season, averaging a double-double over the season's first four games (13.5 ppg/10.3 rpg). The opening sequence included a then-career high 19 points in ASU's win at Montana State (Nov. 15). She averaged 4.5 ppg in her next four games, two of which came in the immediate aftermath of an injury she incurred in ASU's loss to Notre Dame (Nov. 26). The injury caused Hunt to miss ASU's ensuing game at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30).
ASU's slower pace of playing games – the Sun Devils played nine games over the first 27 days of the season (Nov. 7 - Dec. 4) followed that with a stretch in which they played two games in 23 days (Dec. 5 - Dec. 28) – benefitted Hunt's ability to heal from her injury. In recent games she has once again been a consistently solid contributor as she has averaged 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in ASU's last five games. In ASU's non-conference finale vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17) Hunt had career-high 22-point outing. Hunt is currently 4th in the Pac-12 in minutes per game (34.01) and tied for 10th with teammate Meg Newman in rebounds per game (7.1).
CONTRIBUTORS APLENTY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASU'S SUCCESS
• In ASU's games vs. Prairie View A&M and at Arizona, Meg Newman came off the bench and provided the Sun Devils with big-time efforts that included per-game averages of 11.0 ppg and 13.5 rpg. Newman had career highs in points (12) and rebounds (18) for her first career double-double in ASU's win over Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). Newman's 18 boards were the most for a Sun Devil since Ja'Tavia Tapley pulled down 18 on Dec. 6, 2019, against BYU. Newman, who leads the team in field goal percentage (51.4 percent), is currently tied for 10th in the Pac-12 with teammate Treasure Hunt in rebounds per game (7.1).
• TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah is 3rd on the team in rebounds per game (4.9) and 4th in scoring (5.9 ppg). Mokwuah's second career double-double (16 points and 13 rebounds) proved critical in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20). She also scored in double figures (10 points) in ASU's come-from-behind win over GCU (Nov. 30).
• After accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the fourth quarter of ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30), freshman forward Journey Thompson had her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. UMass (Dec. 2) before getting injured prior to ASU's following game vs. Missouri (Dec. 4). In her first start, Thompson accounted for 11 points and six rebounds in ASU's win over Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). Thompson only played in 14 minutes in ASU's first three Pac-12 contests, including a DNP at Stanford (Dec. 31), due to illness.
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is third on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.6). 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 (1.6).
• In the 10 games she has played in (missed four due to injury), senior guard Isadora Sousa has connected on 52 percent of her FGs (14-27) and averaged 3.9 rebounds per game (4th on the team). Sousa had a career-high 12 rebounds vs. American (Nov. 25) and has scored a career high-tying seven points in each of ASU's last two games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan. 2).
CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE INCLUDED EIGHT TEAMS THAT QUALIFIED FOR POSTSEASON PLAY IN 2022
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlighted ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
ASU 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/L, 64-88) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4/L, 60-71) in the Briann January Classic. In the latter contest, a sudden spate of injuries proved too much for ASU 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 came away with the win.
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions, W, 70-61) and current No. 5 Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85). 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.
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/L, 60-75).
INJURIES TOOK THEIR TOLL
In ASU's 75-60 loss at SFA on Dec. 11, the Sun Devils had nearly as many players in uniform (eight) as players who were not suited up (six). The latter group was comprised of injured players.
On the last day of November, the Sun Devils found themselves with a 6-1 record after they overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit in their dramatic 80-72 win at Grand Canyon. Three consecutive losses followed before ASU got win No. 7.
In the loss at SFA, the aforementioned numbers game – as in ASU's number of healthy players – once again played a major factor in the outcome. At the start of the month, ASU had eight players who were averaging double figures in minutes. And that number did not include junior center Imogen Greenslade and freshman forward Journey Thompson, two players who were gradually seeing increased playing time.
During the three-game losing streak, the talented depth that was a major factor in the team's success had been dramatically reduced due to an unlucky spate of injuries/illness. In its loss vs. Missouri (Dec. 4), ASU was without junior guard Jaddan Simmons (the team's second-leading scorer), senior guard Isadora Sousa (averaged seven rebounds in her three most recent outings in addition to providing the team with an important defensive presence) and freshman forward Thompson (after accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the win at GCU, Thompson was coming off her first career double-double vs. UMass on Dec. 2).
At SFA, Simmons was back in the lineup but Greenslade was not available in addition to the other players who missed the game against Missouri. Thus, for the second straight game, ASU had seven players who accounted for nearly all the minutes. Just like in its loss to Missouri, ASU looked every bit the team that had won six of its first seven games – for the first 20 minutes. The final result? Just like against Missouri, fresher bodies enabled the opposition to out score and out rebound ASU.
Skinner continued to lead ASU's offense as the junior guard finished with a game-high 22 points, her sixth game scoring over 20 points this season.
In its non-conference finale, an 82-67 win over Prairie View A&M, two additional Sun Devils were available to play. Thompson, who missed ASU's previous two games, made her first career start and accounted for 11 points and six rebounds. In addition, freshman guard Jaylah Robinson made her first career appearance after missing the first 10 games.
At the start of Pac-12 play, ASU was boosted by the return of senior guard Isadora Sousa, who played at Arizona for the first time since Nov. 30. After accounting for five points, five rebounds in her return, Sousa scored a season-high seven points in ASU's next two games at Stanford Cal.
Sousa's return to the floor was tempered by an illness that limited the availability of freshman forward Journey Thompson. Recently elevated to the starting lineup, Thompson played only 14 minutes in the three games: started at Arizona (10 minutes), missed ASU's game at Stanford and returned in a reserve role at Cal (four minutes).
WHEN: Friday at 6 p.m. MST
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
TV: Pac-12 Arizona
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
After playing its first three Pac-12 games on the road – including contests at current No. 15 Arizona and No. 2 Stanford – the Sun Devil women's basketball team (7-7, 0-3 Pac-12) returns to home to host No. 18 Oregon (11-3, 2-1) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Oregon State (9-5, 1-2) on Sunday at 11 a.m.
As challenging as ASU's on-conference schedule was – eight of its 11 contests were vs. teams that qualified for postseason play in 2022 – the beginning of conference play meant an even higher degree of difficulty with three road games in five days.
After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half at Arizona, ASU put together a 9-2 run that started in the last two minutes of the first half and culminated with a 3- pointer by junior guard Treasure Hunt that got ASU back within single digits. UA scored the next seven points starting a scoring run that eventually put the game out of reach. At Stanford, the difficulty of ASU's task of trying to upset the No. 2 team on its homecourt became exponentially more difficult after the Cardinal jumped out to a 16-3 lead. At Cal, after Treasure Hunt tied the game at 55-55 in the first minute of the fourth quarter, ASU suddenly hit a cold spell on the offensive end. Over a period of seven-plus minutes the Sun Devils saw their ability to influence the outcome slowly slip away as the Bears methodically put together a game-deciding 12-0 scoring run. ASU still found itself in a 10-point hole, 67-57, after Skinner knocked down two free throws with 2:23 remaining
ASU was led in the three games by junior guard and the Pac-12's No. 2 scorer, Tyi Skinner, who averaged 19.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg. Skinner posted her first career double-double with 13 points/10 rebounds against Cal. Hunt added 15.0 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Skinner (10) and Hunt (7) combined for 17 triples in the three games. Jaddan Simmons had a team-high 14 points in the loss at Cal.
ASU was boosted by the return of senior guard Isadora Sousa, who played at Arizona for the first time since Nov. 30. After accounting for five points, five rebounds in her return, Sousa scored a season-high seven points in ASU's next two games at Stanford Cal. Sousa's return to the floor was tempered by an illness that limited the availability of freshman forward Journey Thompson. Recently elevated to the starting lineup, Thompson played only 14 minutes in the three games: started at Arizona (10 minutes), missed ASU's game at Stanford and returned in a reserve role at Cal (four minutes).
SERIES NOTES VERSUS OREGON
• Both of ASU's 2020-21 contests vs. Oregon were eventually canceled due to Covid-19 protocols. The first scheduled meeting of 2021-22 (Jan. 13, 2022) was had to be postponed for the same reason.
• Nearly two years elapsed between meetings (Feb. 9, 2020 - Feb. 1, 2022) when ASU and Oregon made up the initial postponement on Feb. 1, 2022 in Eugene, a game won by the Ducks 72-58. ASU evened the season series when it upset the No. 19 Ducks 55-49 on Feb. 6, 2022.
• Although ASU has won 29 of the last 40 meetings, the Ducks have won six of the last eight, sweeping the season series in 2018 (74-64 in Eugene/57-44 in Tempe) and 2019 (77-61 in Eugene/66-59 in Tempe).
• On Jan. 10, 2020, as the Sun Devils upset the second-ranked Ducks 72-66 in Tempe. Oregon would eventually get a split in the season series after it held serve on its home floor with a 79-48 win in Eugene.
IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE NAME TYI SKINNER YET... GET READY
Junior guard Tyi Skinner, who transferred to ASU from Delaware in the offseason, is quickly ascending to 'must-see' status for all basketball fans. In a sport in which one's height is usually the measurable most associated with its competitors, at five-foot-five, Skinner is more often than not making the biggest plays on the court.
Currently the owner of a Pac-12 high eight 20-point games this season, Skinner needs 50 points to reach 1000 for her career. Twenty-two of Skinner's 37 makes from long range have come in ASU's last six contests. She is shooting 45 pct from beyond the arc (22-49) and averaging 21.2 points during that stretch. In the first of those six games, vs. Missouri on Dec. 4, Skinner tied her career high in scoring for the second time in three games (29 points) and came one triple short of tying the single-game school record after knocking down six vs. the Tigers.
As of Jan. 5, Skinner, who has scored in double figures in every game, is 2nd in the Pac-12 and 17th in the nation in scoring (20.4 ppg). She is also among the Pac-12's leaders in free throws made (1st/69/19th in the nation) and attempted (2nd/83), minutes per game (2nd/35.6/35th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (3rd/2.64), free throw percentage (5th/83.1), steals per game (5th/2.0) and 3-point FG percentage (7th/37.8).
Skinner's 20-point efforts include consecutive 24-point efforts at New Mexico (Nov. 20) and vs. American (Nov. 25), a pair of career-high 29-point games at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30) and vs. Missouri (Dec. 4) and a 26-point showing at Arizona (Dec. 29), the most points given up by the Wildcats this season.
While it is her scoring she has come to be known for, Skinner makes an effort to be a contributor no matter where she is on the court and no matter whether the ball is in her hands or not.
• Has had 3 or more steals 6x times this season, including a season/career-high 4 at Montana State (Nov. 15). Skinner also opened Pac-12 play with consecutive 3-steal games at Arizona (Dec. 29) and at Stanford (Dec. 31).
• In consecutive games, Skinner dished out 6 assists at SFA (Dec. 11) and followed that with a career high-tying 7 assists vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17).
• Has pulled down 5 or more rebounds 3x. In addition to scoring 13 points at Cal (Jan. 3), Skinner pulled down a team- and career-high 10 rebounds for the first double-double of her career.
SIMMONS' SOLID, STEADY PLAY IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ASU'S SUCCESS
With 50 starts in all 50 games she played in over her first two seasons, Jaddan Simmons was ASU's most experienced returning player this season. As great as Simmons' play was over her first two seasons in Tempe, she has taken it to even greater heights this season.
A starter in all 13 games she has played this season (missed ASU's game vs. Missouri on Dec. 14 due to illness), opened the 2022-23 campaign with nine straight double-digit scoring efforts, including a career high-tying 22 points in ASU's season opener vs. Northern Arizona (Nov. 7).
Like fellow backcourt teammate Tyi Skinner, Simmons is a difference maker no matter where she is on the court as she enters this weekend's games as the team leader in assists per game (3.0), minutes per game (36:35/16th in the Pac-12) and blocks per game (0.9), is 2nd in scoring (12.5 ppg), steals per game (1.5), free throws made (56/4th in the Pac-12) and attempted (72/4th in the Pac-12) and free throw percentage (77.8/9th in the Pac-12) and 5th in rebounds per game (3.8).
THIS TREASURE IS NOT HIDDEN
Junior guard Treasure Hunt joined ASU in the offseason after playing her first two seasons at Kentucky where she started 30 of 45 games.
Hunt had a strong start to the season, averaging a double-double over the season's first four games (13.5 ppg/10.3 rpg). The opening sequence included a then-career high 19 points in ASU's win at Montana State (Nov. 15). She averaged 4.5 ppg in her next four games, two of which came in the immediate aftermath of an injury she incurred in ASU's loss to Notre Dame (Nov. 26). The injury caused Hunt to miss ASU's ensuing game at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30).
ASU's slower pace of playing games – the Sun Devils played nine games over the first 27 days of the season (Nov. 7 - Dec. 4) followed that with a stretch in which they played two games in 23 days (Dec. 5 - Dec. 28) – benefitted Hunt's ability to heal from her injury. In recent games she has once again been a consistently solid contributor as she has averaged 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in ASU's last five games. In ASU's non-conference finale vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17) Hunt had career-high 22-point outing. Hunt is currently 4th in the Pac-12 in minutes per game (34.01) and tied for 10th with teammate Meg Newman in rebounds per game (7.1).
CONTRIBUTORS APLENTY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASU'S SUCCESS
• In ASU's games vs. Prairie View A&M and at Arizona, Meg Newman came off the bench and provided the Sun Devils with big-time efforts that included per-game averages of 11.0 ppg and 13.5 rpg. Newman had career highs in points (12) and rebounds (18) for her first career double-double in ASU's win over Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). Newman's 18 boards were the most for a Sun Devil since Ja'Tavia Tapley pulled down 18 on Dec. 6, 2019, against BYU. Newman, who leads the team in field goal percentage (51.4 percent), is currently tied for 10th in the Pac-12 with teammate Treasure Hunt in rebounds per game (7.1).
• TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah is 3rd on the team in rebounds per game (4.9) and 4th in scoring (5.9 ppg). Mokwuah's second career double-double (16 points and 13 rebounds) proved critical in ASU's OT win at New Mexico (Nov. 20). She also scored in double figures (10 points) in ASU's come-from-behind win over GCU (Nov. 30).
• After accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the fourth quarter of ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30), freshman forward Journey Thompson had her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. UMass (Dec. 2) before getting injured prior to ASU's following game vs. Missouri (Dec. 4). In her first start, Thompson accounted for 11 points and six rebounds in ASU's win over Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). Thompson only played in 14 minutes in ASU's first three Pac-12 contests, including a DNP at Stanford (Dec. 31), due to illness.
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is third on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.6). 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 (1.6).
• In the 10 games she has played in (missed four due to injury), senior guard Isadora Sousa has connected on 52 percent of her FGs (14-27) and averaged 3.9 rebounds per game (4th on the team). Sousa had a career-high 12 rebounds vs. American (Nov. 25) and has scored a career high-tying seven points in each of ASU's last two games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan. 2).
CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE INCLUDED EIGHT TEAMS THAT QUALIFIED FOR POSTSEASON PLAY IN 2022
Contests against eight teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlighted ASU's 2022 non-conference schedule.
ASU 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/L, 64-88) and 2022 WNIT participant Missouri (Dec. 4/L, 60-71) in the Briann January Classic. In the latter contest, a sudden spate of injuries proved too much for ASU 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 came away with the win.
At the Goombay Splash (Nov. 25-26/Bimini, Bahamas) ASU faced two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in the form of American (NCAA First Round and Patriot League Tournament champions, W, 70-61) and current No. 5 Notre Dame (NCAA Third Round/L, 65-85). 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.
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/L, 60-75).
INJURIES TOOK THEIR TOLL
In ASU's 75-60 loss at SFA on Dec. 11, the Sun Devils had nearly as many players in uniform (eight) as players who were not suited up (six). The latter group was comprised of injured players.
On the last day of November, the Sun Devils found themselves with a 6-1 record after they overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit in their dramatic 80-72 win at Grand Canyon. Three consecutive losses followed before ASU got win No. 7.
In the loss at SFA, the aforementioned numbers game – as in ASU's number of healthy players – once again played a major factor in the outcome. At the start of the month, ASU had eight players who were averaging double figures in minutes. And that number did not include junior center Imogen Greenslade and freshman forward Journey Thompson, two players who were gradually seeing increased playing time.
During the three-game losing streak, the talented depth that was a major factor in the team's success had been dramatically reduced due to an unlucky spate of injuries/illness. In its loss vs. Missouri (Dec. 4), ASU was without junior guard Jaddan Simmons (the team's second-leading scorer), senior guard Isadora Sousa (averaged seven rebounds in her three most recent outings in addition to providing the team with an important defensive presence) and freshman forward Thompson (after accounting for six points, four rebounds and one block in the win at GCU, Thompson was coming off her first career double-double vs. UMass on Dec. 2).
At SFA, Simmons was back in the lineup but Greenslade was not available in addition to the other players who missed the game against Missouri. Thus, for the second straight game, ASU had seven players who accounted for nearly all the minutes. Just like in its loss to Missouri, ASU looked every bit the team that had won six of its first seven games – for the first 20 minutes. The final result? Just like against Missouri, fresher bodies enabled the opposition to out score and out rebound ASU.
Skinner continued to lead ASU's offense as the junior guard finished with a game-high 22 points, her sixth game scoring over 20 points this season.
In its non-conference finale, an 82-67 win over Prairie View A&M, two additional Sun Devils were available to play. Thompson, who missed ASU's previous two games, made her first career start and accounted for 11 points and six rebounds. In addition, freshman guard Jaylah Robinson made her first career appearance after missing the first 10 games.
At the start of Pac-12 play, ASU was boosted by the return of senior guard Isadora Sousa, who played at Arizona for the first time since Nov. 30. After accounting for five points, five rebounds in her return, Sousa scored a season-high seven points in ASU's next two games at Stanford Cal.
Sousa's return to the floor was tempered by an illness that limited the availability of freshman forward Journey Thompson. Recently elevated to the starting lineup, Thompson played only 14 minutes in the three games: started at Arizona (10 minutes), missed ASU's game at Stanford and returned in a reserve role at Cal (four minutes).