THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (7-13, 0-11 Pac-12) at No. 14/16 UCLA (17-6, 6-5 Pac-12)
WHEN: Sunday at 12 p.m. PST/1 p.m. MST
WHERE: Pauley Pavilion • Los Angeles
TV: Pac-12 Los Angeles (Anne Marie Anderson, Tammy Blackburn)
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060 (Jeff Munn)
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils women's basketball team (7-13, 0-11 Pac-12) will look to right the ship when it takes on No. 14/16 UCLA (17-6, 6-5 Pac-12) on Sunday (1 p.m. MST). ASU will be looking for a split on its road trip following a 64-49 loss at USC on Friday. Junior guards Tyi Skinner (14 points, 2 steals), Jaddan Simmons (12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) and Treasure Hunt (10 points, team-high 7 rebounds) combined for 36 of ASU's points against the Trojans.
ASU's most recent loss was preceded by a pair of heartbreaking home defeats: 61-57 vs. Washington State and 55-53 vs. Washington. In the final minute of both games, ASU had a realistic chance to come out on top. Against WSU, Simmons scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the final 20 minutes to help ASU go up by one after her layup with under four minutes remaining. From there, ASU went cold and couldn't hang on. Against UW, ASU went up 49-47 after a field goal by Skinner (scored all 11 of her points in the final quarter) with 5:30 remaining. UW outscored ASU 8-6 down the stretch to claim the win.
A week after its scheduled games at Utah (Jan. 13) & at Colorado (Jan. 15) were canceled due to ASU not having enough available players, returned to action Jan. 22 and fell to Arizona at home, 80-67. Junior guard Treasure Hunt scored a career-high 24 points in the loss, while Simmons (19 points) set a career-high with 11 free throw makes, the first time in her career making double-digit free throws in a single game.
ASU was defeated by Arizona 84-66 in the Pac-12 opener for both teams (Dec. 28). After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, ASU put together a 9-2 run that started in the last two minutes of the half and culminated with a 3- pointer by Hunt that got ASU back within single digits early in the second half. UA scored the next seven points starting a scoring run that eventually put the game out of reach.
At Stanford (Dec. 31), 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 (Jan. 2), after 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 ASU saw its ability to influence the outcome slowly slip away as the Bears methodically put together a game-deciding 12-0 scoring run.
ASU dropped its first Pac-12 home game of the season 82-62 vs. Oregon on Jan. 6. After falling behind by 16 in the third quarter vs. OSU (Jan. 8), ASU used a 14-2 run to get within four points. The Beavers reclaimed a double-digit lead and ASU could not get any closer than eight in the fourth quarter.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS UCLA
• UCLA has won the last 12 meetings, including both of last year's contests: 63-59 in Tempe and 60-57 in Los Angeles.
• The last time both teams faced off was last season in Tempe, when UCLA took down the Sun Devils, 59-52. Jaddan Simmons scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss.
• ASU's last win came in 2016 when the No. 8 Sun Devils knocked off No. 14 UCLA, 65-61 in Tempe. Katie Hempen broke the school record for 3-pointers, knocking down four in the win over the Bruins.
CURRENT STORYLINES...
• ASU is ranked in the top half of the Pac-12 in free throws attempts per game (2nd/19.8), free throw makes per game (2nd/14.5/38th in the nation), fewest turnovers per game (3rd/12.6/12th in the nation) and offensive rebounds per game (4th/13.5).
• In Pac-12 games... ASU is No. 2 in the league in turnover margin (+3.67)... Skinner (4th/15.8 ppg), Hunt (12th/13.2 ppg) and Simmons (17th/12.2 ppg) are among the top 20 in scoring... Simmons (2nd/2.0) and Skinner (8th/1.6) are among the top 10 in steals per game.
• Only four players have played in all 20 games: Tyi Skinner (20 starts), Kayla Mokwuah (17 starts), Meg Newman (5 starts) and Trayanna Crisp (4 starts). As of Feb. 4, ASU has three of the top four players in the Pac-12 in minutes played per game: 1. Jaddan Simmons (37.1 mpg), 3. Tyi Skinner (35.5 mpg), 4. Treasure Hunt (34.8 mpg).
• Skinner (18x in 20 games) and Simmons (17x in 19 games), have combined to score in double figures 35x out of a possible 39 games this season.
• Simmons has played all but 3:52 of ASU's last five games. During that stretch, she has led the team in scoring (15.0 ppg), steals per game (2.4), FTs made (18) and attempted (21) and FT percentage (85.7).
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, quickly ascended 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 has often made the biggest plays on the court.
As of Feb. 4, Skinner, who has scored in double figures in all but two games (Jan. 23 vs. Arizona, Jan. 27 vs. Washington St.), is 3rd in the Pac-12 and 32nd in the nation in scoring (18.4 ppg). She is also among the Pac-12's leaders in minutes per game (3rd/35.5/43rd in the nation), 3-pointers per game (3rd/2.4), free throws made (4th/80) and attempted (4th/102), 3-point FG percentage (6th/33.8), steals per game (7th/1.8) and free throw percentage (9th/78.4).
Currently the owner 10 20-point games this season (2nd in the Pac-12), Skinner reached 1,000 career points vs. Arizona on Jan. 22. On Dec. 4 vs. Missouri, 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.
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). In addition to her scoring, Skinner has also...
• 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 4x. 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
Among returning players, Jaddan Simmons is ASU's most experienced player (69 starts in 69 career games). As great as Simmons' play was her first two seasons in Tempe, she has taken it to an even higher level.
A starter in all 19 games she has played this season (missed ASU's game vs. Missouri on Dec. 4 due to illness), Simmons has scored in double figures in all but two games this season. she enters Sunday's game as the team leader in assists per game (2.9), minutes per game (37.1/1st in Pac-12/9th in the nation), steals per game (1.79/6th in Pac-12) and free throw percentage (78.6/8th in Pac-12) and is 2nd in free throws made (77/5th in Pac-12) and attempted (98/5th in the Pac-12).
Simmons 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). Simmons, who has pulled down 5 or more rebounds 10x this season, made a career-high 11 FTs as part of her 19 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22). She led or tied for the team lead in scoring in ASU's near victories vs. WSU on Jan. 27 (scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the second half) and vs. Washington on Jan. 29 (tied for team lead with 11 points had team highs with 5 assists and 2 steals.
THIS TREASURE IS NOT HIDDEN
Junior guard Treasure Hunt, who is currently 10th in the Pac-12 in rebounds (6.8 rpg/leads ASU) and 4th in minutes per game (34.93/3rd on the team), 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 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 first loss to Notre Dame (Nov. 26). The injury caused Hunt to miss ASU's ensuing game at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30).
Hunt has scored in double figures 11x, with 8 of those performances coming in ASU's last 11 games. During that 11-game stretch, she has averaged 13.9 ppg. Hunt scored a then-career high 22 points in ASU's non-conference finale vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). She added her third double-double of the season (17 points, 12 rebounds) vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She topped her career high in scoring with 24 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
CONTRIBUTORS APLENTY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASU'S SUCCESS
• In ASU's games vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17) and at Arizona (Dec. 29), Meg Newman came off the bench and provided ASU 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 PVAM. Newman's 18 boards were the most for a Sun Devil since Ja'Tavia Tapley pulled down 18 in 2019 vs. BYU. Newman leads ASU in FG percentage (46.7 percent) and offensive rebounds (2.25 rpg/tied for 7th in Pac-12) and is 2nd in rebounds (5.0/14th in Pac-12).
• TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah is 3rd on the team in rebounds per game (5.0/6 or more rebounds 9x this season), tied for team lead in offensive rebs (2.25 rpg/7th in the Pac-12) and is 5th in scoring (5.6 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).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp, who has started each of ASU's last three games, 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 (1.7) and 4th in scoring (5.9 ppg). She's had a season-high 5 assists three times. Crisp averaged double figures in scoring in consecutive games for the second time this season vs. WSU (Jan. 27/11 points) and vs. UW (Jan. 29/9 points).
• 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. She pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Oregon State (Jan. 8). She has not played since the OSU game due to injury.
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is tied for 4th on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.4). Erikstrup posted career highs in scoring (11 points) and 3-pointers (3) in ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30).
• In the 15 games Isadora Sousa has played in – she has missed five games due to injury, was injured less than three minutes into game vs. Oregon (Jan. 6) and was limited to only 10 minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22) – she has connected on 49 percent of her FGs (20-41). Sousa had a career-high 12 rebounds vs. American (Nov. 25) and scored a career high-tying seven points consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan. 2). Most recently, Sousa averaged 5.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg while averaging 20 minutes vs. Washington State (Jan. 27) and Washington (Jan. 29).
INJURIES ALL TOO COMMON THEME IN 2022-23
On the last day of November, ASU found itself with a 6-1 record after they overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a dramatic 80-72 win at Grand Canyon. Three consecutive losses followed before ASU got win No. 7. During the three-game losing streak, the talented depth that was a major factor in the team's success was dramatically reduced due to an unlucky spate of injuries/illness. 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.
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 three most recent outings in addition to providing ASU with an important defensive presence) and 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).
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 and it played a major factor in the outcome. 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.
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 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 (Dec. 31) and at Cal (Jan. 2). Sousa's return to the floor was tempered by an illness that limited the availability of Thompson, who played only 14 minutes in the three games: started at Arizona (10 minutes), missed game at Stanford and returned in a reserve role at Cal (four minutes). Thompson had a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Oregon St. (Jan. 8) but has not played since.
Sousa once again went down with an injury less than three minutes into ASU's contest vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She missed ASU's game vs. OSU (Jan. 8) before being limited to nine minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
ASU's injury situation reached its nadir the second week in January when it had to forfeit games at Utah (Jan. 13) and at Colorado (Jan. 15) due to not having enough healthy players to play.
Greenslade returned to play at USC (Feb. 3), her first action since Dec. 4.
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).
WHEN: Sunday at 12 p.m. PST/1 p.m. MST
WHERE: Pauley Pavilion • Los Angeles
TV: Pac-12 Los Angeles (Anne Marie Anderson, Tammy Blackburn)
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060 (Jeff Munn)
LIVE STATS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils women's basketball team (7-13, 0-11 Pac-12) will look to right the ship when it takes on No. 14/16 UCLA (17-6, 6-5 Pac-12) on Sunday (1 p.m. MST). ASU will be looking for a split on its road trip following a 64-49 loss at USC on Friday. Junior guards Tyi Skinner (14 points, 2 steals), Jaddan Simmons (12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) and Treasure Hunt (10 points, team-high 7 rebounds) combined for 36 of ASU's points against the Trojans.
ASU's most recent loss was preceded by a pair of heartbreaking home defeats: 61-57 vs. Washington State and 55-53 vs. Washington. In the final minute of both games, ASU had a realistic chance to come out on top. Against WSU, Simmons scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the final 20 minutes to help ASU go up by one after her layup with under four minutes remaining. From there, ASU went cold and couldn't hang on. Against UW, ASU went up 49-47 after a field goal by Skinner (scored all 11 of her points in the final quarter) with 5:30 remaining. UW outscored ASU 8-6 down the stretch to claim the win.
A week after its scheduled games at Utah (Jan. 13) & at Colorado (Jan. 15) were canceled due to ASU not having enough available players, returned to action Jan. 22 and fell to Arizona at home, 80-67. Junior guard Treasure Hunt scored a career-high 24 points in the loss, while Simmons (19 points) set a career-high with 11 free throw makes, the first time in her career making double-digit free throws in a single game.
ASU was defeated by Arizona 84-66 in the Pac-12 opener for both teams (Dec. 28). After trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, ASU put together a 9-2 run that started in the last two minutes of the half and culminated with a 3- pointer by Hunt that got ASU back within single digits early in the second half. UA scored the next seven points starting a scoring run that eventually put the game out of reach.
At Stanford (Dec. 31), 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 (Jan. 2), after 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 ASU saw its ability to influence the outcome slowly slip away as the Bears methodically put together a game-deciding 12-0 scoring run.
ASU dropped its first Pac-12 home game of the season 82-62 vs. Oregon on Jan. 6. After falling behind by 16 in the third quarter vs. OSU (Jan. 8), ASU used a 14-2 run to get within four points. The Beavers reclaimed a double-digit lead and ASU could not get any closer than eight in the fourth quarter.
SERIES NOTES VERSUS UCLA
• UCLA has won the last 12 meetings, including both of last year's contests: 63-59 in Tempe and 60-57 in Los Angeles.
• The last time both teams faced off was last season in Tempe, when UCLA took down the Sun Devils, 59-52. Jaddan Simmons scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss.
• ASU's last win came in 2016 when the No. 8 Sun Devils knocked off No. 14 UCLA, 65-61 in Tempe. Katie Hempen broke the school record for 3-pointers, knocking down four in the win over the Bruins.
CURRENT STORYLINES...
• ASU is ranked in the top half of the Pac-12 in free throws attempts per game (2nd/19.8), free throw makes per game (2nd/14.5/38th in the nation), fewest turnovers per game (3rd/12.6/12th in the nation) and offensive rebounds per game (4th/13.5).
• In Pac-12 games... ASU is No. 2 in the league in turnover margin (+3.67)... Skinner (4th/15.8 ppg), Hunt (12th/13.2 ppg) and Simmons (17th/12.2 ppg) are among the top 20 in scoring... Simmons (2nd/2.0) and Skinner (8th/1.6) are among the top 10 in steals per game.
• Only four players have played in all 20 games: Tyi Skinner (20 starts), Kayla Mokwuah (17 starts), Meg Newman (5 starts) and Trayanna Crisp (4 starts). As of Feb. 4, ASU has three of the top four players in the Pac-12 in minutes played per game: 1. Jaddan Simmons (37.1 mpg), 3. Tyi Skinner (35.5 mpg), 4. Treasure Hunt (34.8 mpg).
• Skinner (18x in 20 games) and Simmons (17x in 19 games), have combined to score in double figures 35x out of a possible 39 games this season.
• Simmons has played all but 3:52 of ASU's last five games. During that stretch, she has led the team in scoring (15.0 ppg), steals per game (2.4), FTs made (18) and attempted (21) and FT percentage (85.7).
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, quickly ascended 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 has often made the biggest plays on the court.
As of Feb. 4, Skinner, who has scored in double figures in all but two games (Jan. 23 vs. Arizona, Jan. 27 vs. Washington St.), is 3rd in the Pac-12 and 32nd in the nation in scoring (18.4 ppg). She is also among the Pac-12's leaders in minutes per game (3rd/35.5/43rd in the nation), 3-pointers per game (3rd/2.4), free throws made (4th/80) and attempted (4th/102), 3-point FG percentage (6th/33.8), steals per game (7th/1.8) and free throw percentage (9th/78.4).
Currently the owner 10 20-point games this season (2nd in the Pac-12), Skinner reached 1,000 career points vs. Arizona on Jan. 22. On Dec. 4 vs. Missouri, 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.
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). In addition to her scoring, Skinner has also...
• 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 4x. 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
Among returning players, Jaddan Simmons is ASU's most experienced player (69 starts in 69 career games). As great as Simmons' play was her first two seasons in Tempe, she has taken it to an even higher level.
A starter in all 19 games she has played this season (missed ASU's game vs. Missouri on Dec. 4 due to illness), Simmons has scored in double figures in all but two games this season. she enters Sunday's game as the team leader in assists per game (2.9), minutes per game (37.1/1st in Pac-12/9th in the nation), steals per game (1.79/6th in Pac-12) and free throw percentage (78.6/8th in Pac-12) and is 2nd in free throws made (77/5th in Pac-12) and attempted (98/5th in the Pac-12).
Simmons 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). Simmons, who has pulled down 5 or more rebounds 10x this season, made a career-high 11 FTs as part of her 19 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22). She led or tied for the team lead in scoring in ASU's near victories vs. WSU on Jan. 27 (scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the second half) and vs. Washington on Jan. 29 (tied for team lead with 11 points had team highs with 5 assists and 2 steals.
THIS TREASURE IS NOT HIDDEN
Junior guard Treasure Hunt, who is currently 10th in the Pac-12 in rebounds (6.8 rpg/leads ASU) and 4th in minutes per game (34.93/3rd on the team), 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 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 first loss to Notre Dame (Nov. 26). The injury caused Hunt to miss ASU's ensuing game at Grand Canyon (Nov. 30).
Hunt has scored in double figures 11x, with 8 of those performances coming in ASU's last 11 games. During that 11-game stretch, she has averaged 13.9 ppg. Hunt scored a then-career high 22 points in ASU's non-conference finale vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17). She added her third double-double of the season (17 points, 12 rebounds) vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She topped her career high in scoring with 24 points vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
CONTRIBUTORS APLENTY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASU'S SUCCESS
• In ASU's games vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17) and at Arizona (Dec. 29), Meg Newman came off the bench and provided ASU 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 PVAM. Newman's 18 boards were the most for a Sun Devil since Ja'Tavia Tapley pulled down 18 in 2019 vs. BYU. Newman leads ASU in FG percentage (46.7 percent) and offensive rebounds (2.25 rpg/tied for 7th in Pac-12) and is 2nd in rebounds (5.0/14th in Pac-12).
• TCU transfer Kayla Mokwuah is 3rd on the team in rebounds per game (5.0/6 or more rebounds 9x this season), tied for team lead in offensive rebs (2.25 rpg/7th in the Pac-12) and is 5th in scoring (5.6 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).
• Freshman guard Trayanna Crisp, who has started each of ASU's last three games, 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 (1.7) and 4th in scoring (5.9 ppg). She's had a season-high 5 assists three times. Crisp averaged double figures in scoring in consecutive games for the second time this season vs. WSU (Jan. 27/11 points) and vs. UW (Jan. 29/9 points).
• 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. She pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Oregon State (Jan. 8). She has not played since the OSU game due to injury.
• Junior guard Sydney Erikstrup is tied for 4th on the team in 3-pointers per game (0.4). Erikstrup posted career highs in scoring (11 points) and 3-pointers (3) in ASU's comeback win at GCU (Nov. 30).
• In the 15 games Isadora Sousa has played in – she has missed five games due to injury, was injured less than three minutes into game vs. Oregon (Jan. 6) and was limited to only 10 minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22) – she has connected on 49 percent of her FGs (20-41). Sousa had a career-high 12 rebounds vs. American (Nov. 25) and scored a career high-tying seven points consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan. 2). Most recently, Sousa averaged 5.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg while averaging 20 minutes vs. Washington State (Jan. 27) and Washington (Jan. 29).
INJURIES ALL TOO COMMON THEME IN 2022-23
On the last day of November, ASU found itself with a 6-1 record after they overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a dramatic 80-72 win at Grand Canyon. Three consecutive losses followed before ASU got win No. 7. During the three-game losing streak, the talented depth that was a major factor in the team's success was dramatically reduced due to an unlucky spate of injuries/illness. 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.
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 three most recent outings in addition to providing ASU with an important defensive presence) and 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).
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 and it played a major factor in the outcome. 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.
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 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 (Dec. 31) and at Cal (Jan. 2). Sousa's return to the floor was tempered by an illness that limited the availability of Thompson, who played only 14 minutes in the three games: started at Arizona (10 minutes), missed game at Stanford and returned in a reserve role at Cal (four minutes). Thompson had a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Oregon St. (Jan. 8) but has not played since.
Sousa once again went down with an injury less than three minutes into ASU's contest vs. Oregon (Jan. 6). She missed ASU's game vs. OSU (Jan. 8) before being limited to nine minutes vs. Arizona (Jan. 22).
ASU's injury situation reached its nadir the second week in January when it had to forfeit games at Utah (Jan. 13) and at Colorado (Jan. 15) due to not having enough healthy players to play.
Greenslade returned to play at USC (Feb. 3), her first action since Dec. 4.
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).