THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (9-11, 1-7 Pac-12) vs. Cal (13-7, 3-5 Pac-12)
WHEN: Sunday at 12 p.m. MST
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
WATCH: Pac-12 Arizona
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team will look for a split in this weekend's contests against the Bay Area schools when it hosts California (13-7, 3-5 Pac-12) on Sunday (12 p.m. MST) at Desert Financial Arena.
The Sun Devils (9-11, 1-7 Pac-12) are currently in the middle of a laborious assignment, playing seven of nine games away from home. They started their current tour with consecutive trips to the Pacific Northwest for games at UO, OSU, WSU and UW. After this weekend's games, ASU will play its next three contests away from Desert Financial Arena: at Arizona (Feb. 4), at No. 11 USC (Feb. 9) and at No. 2 UCLA (Feb. 11).
The Sun Devils started the weekend with an 80-50 setback against No. 6 Stanford on Friday. Jalyn Brown (17 points) and Trayanna Crisp (16 points, game-high four steals) were ASU's main sources of offense as the duo combined for 33 points. Journey Thompson pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds, coming one board short of the single-game high by a Sun Devil this season (Kadidia Toure 14 rebounds vs. San Francisco on Nov. 13).
ASU entered the game against Stanford coming off arguably its best performance of the season in a 73-65 win at Washington last Sunday. ASU was seeking its first Pac-12 win of the season after starting 0-6. To come away with its first success in league play, it had to overcome a Washington squad that had lost only once at home and came into the game first in the Pac-12 and seventh in the nation in scoring defense (52.4 ppg).
If that was not enough, ASU was playing the last of four straight games on the road – all four the furthest possible destinations from Tempe – and it was coming off a game at WSU in which starting guard Trayanna Crisp left the game after less than one quarter of play (returned to play vs. UW) and Maggie Besselink, playing for the first time after missing six games due to injury, was lost once again after getting hurt in the second half.
Brown (11-20 FGs, 4-5 3FGs, 8-8 FTs) posted her second 30-point game of the season, finishing with 34 points. Brown, who scored 35 earlier this season vs. Colorado, posted her eighth game of the season with 20 or more points. In addition to capturing its first Pac-12 win of the season, ASU surpassed its win total from last season when it went 8-20.
ASU's 73 points represented the most given up by the Huskies this season. Furthermore, the Sun Devils tied a Washington opponent high by hitting eight triples. ASU was 61.5 percent (8-13) from downtown against the Pac-12's top team/No. 13 in the nation in 3-point FG percentage defense (24.8 percent coming into the game). Crisp scored 16 points and Jaddan Simmons added nine points to go with a team-high six rebounds.
WATCH/LISTEN
Sunday's game can be seen on Pac-12 Arizona (Cindy Brunson, Joan Bonvicini). The game can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060 Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 & 2019 Broadcaster of the Year and a finalist for the 2023 award, Jeff Munn is in his 20th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
JALYN BROWN ASCENDING TO SUPERSTAR STATUS
• As the season has progressed, sophomore Jalyn Brown has evolved into one of the top offensive performers in the Pac-12. In Pac-12 games, Brown enters Sunday's game in scoring (22.5 ppg), 11th in FT pct. (82.5/47-57) and 9th in O-rebs (2.25 rpg).
• Brown has played in 18 games (15 starts) and currently leads the team in 30-point games (2), 20-point games (8), scoring (17.3 ppg), is 2nd in 3FGs (1.3 per game), FT pct. (78.0) and FTs made (64) and attempted (82), 3rd in assists (1.3 apg) and minutes (33:35).
• Brown has scored in double figures 15x, including 13x in last 14 games. During that stretch, she is leading team in scoring 19.7 ppg, 3FGs per game (1.4) and FT pct. (81.2/56-69) and is 2nd in minutes (35.9 mpg).
MOST POINTS IN A GAME BY A SUN DEVIL SINCE 2000
35 - Jalyn Brown vs. Colorado (1/7/24)
34 - Jalyn Brown at Washington (1/21/24)
34 - Jade Loville at San Diego (12/18/21)
33 - Jade Loville vs. Oregon St. (2/4/22)
32 - Kylan Loney vs. Arizona (1/31/04)
30 - Kianna Ibis at Utah (12/31/17)
30 - Amanda Levens vs St. Peter's (11/17/01)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• As of Jan. 27, 2023, ASU leads the Pac-12 in FT attempts per game (19.1), is 3rd in FTs made per game (13.15) and fewest turnovers per game (13.1/29th in the nation), 4th in offensive rebounds per game (12.0) and turnover margin (+2.7) and 6th in turnovers forced per game (15.8).
• Individually, Jaddan Simmons is ranked 23rd in the nation in minutes per game (35.9), 27th in FTs made (87) and 32nd in FT attempts (109).
• ASU has had 6 different players lead/tie for team lead in scoring: Brown (8x), Simmons (5x), Kadidia Toure (4x), Crisp (4x), Treasure Hunt (1x) and Journey Thompson. Brown's career-high 35 points vs. No. 5 Colorado on Jan. 7, is the highest single-game total by a Sun Devil this season.
• In the rebounding department, 9 different players have led/tied for the team lead: Thompson (7x), Simmons (5x), Maggie Besselink (4x), Toure (3x), Mallory Miller (2x), Sandra Magolico (2x), Brown (2x), Hunt (1x) and Isadora Souza (1x). Toure's 14-rebound game vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13) represents the most rebounds by a Sun Devil this season.
• ASU has averaged only 11.5 turnovers in its last 14 games. It has had 11 or fewer turnovers 8x during that stretch.
• On Dec. 20, Simmons (now with 1059 points) became the 25th Sun Devil to score more than 1000 points. Simmons played all 80 minutes on recent Washington road trip – at WSU (Jan. 19) and at UW (Jan. 21) – and averaged 11.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 3.0 spg and connected on 87.5 percent of her free throws (14-16).
• In ASU's games vs. Colorado (Jan. 7) and at Oregon (Jan. 12), Isadora Sousa shot 73 percent (8-11 FGs) and averaged 9.0 points in the two contests. She scored career-high 12 points at WSU (Jan. 19).
• Crisp scored a then-career high 17 points 2x in ASU's first seven games. She surpassed that with 18 points vs. GCU (Dec. 8). Crisp has scored in double figures in all but 5 games. She averaged 14.0 ppg in 4 games prior to Utah game in which she left early due to injury. During that stretch: led team in assists (2.75 apg) and was tied with J. Simmons for lead in steals (2.5 spg).
• ASU has allowed 13 or fewer points in a quarter 22x, including 7x in single digits.
• ASU scored a double-digit point total in each of the first 20 quarters of the season. Overall, it has scored in double figures in 64 of 80 quarters.
IN CASE YOU ARE JUST JOINING US
• ASU has had a pair of season-best three-game winning streaks in 2023-24. It started 3-0 after home wins over UTSA (70-55/Nov. 6), Montana State (75-62/Nov. 10) & San Francisco (77-69/Nov. 13). In the first half of its first three wins, ASU averaged 45.3 points & hit 49.5 pct of its shots. In the win vs. UTSA, ASU tied last season's highest point total in a half on its way to a 49-23 halftime lead. Against Montana State (Nov. 30), ASU scored 30 points in the first quarter, representing the third time it has scored 30 or more points in a quarter under head coach Natasha Adair.
• In its first loss at Grambling State (Nov. 16), ASU scored 32 points and shot 38 pct. in the first half while allowing the Tigers to score 45 points. Down by as many as 17, ASU tied the game at 67-67 before the Tigers hit game-winning 3-pointer in final seconds.
• ASU responded with a 72-40 win over Idaho State. The Bengals' final point total represented the fewest given up by ASU since a 49-40 win over VCU on November 27, 2020.
• After dropping an 84-42 decision to Texas in its first game at the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam (Nov. 23), ASU once again rebounded with a 3-game winning streak. Less than 24 hours after the setback to Texas, ASU had to face a South Florida squad (Nov. 24) that entered the game among the Top 50 teams in the nation in rebounding margin (+10.8). ASU rose to the challenge and outrebounded the Bulls 38-32 in its 66-49 win. In its 77-69 win over High Point (Nov. 25), ASU shot 50 percent for the game, the first time it shot 50 percent or higher since a win at San Diego on Dec. 18, 2021. Brown had her first 20-point game, while Hunt just missed a double-double with season highs in points (19) and rebounds (game-high 8 boards).
• ASU made it three straight wins after a 76-66 triumph over Pacific (Dec. 1). Simmons scored 17 of her career-high 26 points in the 2nd half, including 8 points in the final 94 seconds while Brown contributed a career high-tying 20 points for the second straight game.
• The Sun Devils nearly came back from 14 down in the 4th quarter (got within 4 points 2x) before falling to Grand Canyon, 66-59 on Dec. 8. Simmons (20 points), Crisp (18 points) and Brown (16 points) scored all but five of ASU's points. ASU was without Hunt (illness) in the loss.
• ASU dropped consecutive games for the first time this season after falling to Arizona 91-52 in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. The Wildcats got off to a fast start that eventually enabled them to take a 52-24 lead at the half.
• ASU got back on the winning track scoring a season high in an 80-76 win over Fresno State as part of the Jerry Colangelo Hall of Fame Series played at Footprint Series in Phoenix. Toure scored 12 of her career high-tying 22 points in the second half while Brown continued her streak of scoring in double figures in games she has started (eight) with 20 points. Crisp scored 12 points while Simmons and Thompson (career-high four steals) scored 10 points each. ASU shot 49 percent for the game, its second-highest mark of the season. Simmons, who went over 1,000 career points in the fourth quarter of the win, set a career high with eight assists and hit a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining to help clinch the win.
• The short-handed Sun Devils nearly came back from a double-digit deficit but in the end did not have enough to get over the hump in 65-55 loss to Santa Clara (Dec. 30). Crisp and (12 points), Simmons (11 points) and Toure (10 points) led the way for the Sun Devils (8-5), who were without key contributors Maggie Besselink and Treasure Hunt. The Sun Devils trailed by as many as 12 in the first half before transforming their defense into a riddle Santa Clara had no answers for during the latter stages of the first half and for the entire third quarter. The net result was a game tied at 44-44 entering the fourth quarter. Santa Clara outscored ASU 21-11 in the 4th Q.
• ASU came through with one of its most inspired defensive efforts of the season in holding one of the most prolific offenses in the country more than 30 points below its scoring average. Unfortunately, ASU was not able to do enough on the offensive end in a 58-41 loss to No. 15 Utah on Friday night.
• Brown scored 35 points, the most by a Sun Devil in the 21st century and the highest single-game total by a player this season in a game contested between two Pac-12 teams, in ASU's 81-68 loss to No. 5 Colorado on Jan. 7.
• The Sun Devils dropped both of their contests at the Oregon schools: 65-53 at Oregon and 92-55 at Oregon State. Brown led the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 ppg and knocking down 83 percent of her free throws (10-12) in the two games. Also providing major contributions last week was Journey Thompson, who averaged 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, the second time this season Thompson has scored in double figures in consecutive games.
• After falling at WSU 79-64 (Jan. 19), ASU captured its first Pac-12 win at Washington, 73-65 on Jan. 21. Brown posted her second 30-point game of the season, finishing with 34 points to lead the Sun Devils to the win.
WHEN: Sunday at 12 p.m. MST
WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
WATCH: Pac-12 Arizona
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
LIVE STATS: Click here
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here
UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team will look for a split in this weekend's contests against the Bay Area schools when it hosts California (13-7, 3-5 Pac-12) on Sunday (12 p.m. MST) at Desert Financial Arena.
The Sun Devils (9-11, 1-7 Pac-12) are currently in the middle of a laborious assignment, playing seven of nine games away from home. They started their current tour with consecutive trips to the Pacific Northwest for games at UO, OSU, WSU and UW. After this weekend's games, ASU will play its next three contests away from Desert Financial Arena: at Arizona (Feb. 4), at No. 11 USC (Feb. 9) and at No. 2 UCLA (Feb. 11).
The Sun Devils started the weekend with an 80-50 setback against No. 6 Stanford on Friday. Jalyn Brown (17 points) and Trayanna Crisp (16 points, game-high four steals) were ASU's main sources of offense as the duo combined for 33 points. Journey Thompson pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds, coming one board short of the single-game high by a Sun Devil this season (Kadidia Toure 14 rebounds vs. San Francisco on Nov. 13).
ASU entered the game against Stanford coming off arguably its best performance of the season in a 73-65 win at Washington last Sunday. ASU was seeking its first Pac-12 win of the season after starting 0-6. To come away with its first success in league play, it had to overcome a Washington squad that had lost only once at home and came into the game first in the Pac-12 and seventh in the nation in scoring defense (52.4 ppg).
If that was not enough, ASU was playing the last of four straight games on the road – all four the furthest possible destinations from Tempe – and it was coming off a game at WSU in which starting guard Trayanna Crisp left the game after less than one quarter of play (returned to play vs. UW) and Maggie Besselink, playing for the first time after missing six games due to injury, was lost once again after getting hurt in the second half.
Brown (11-20 FGs, 4-5 3FGs, 8-8 FTs) posted her second 30-point game of the season, finishing with 34 points. Brown, who scored 35 earlier this season vs. Colorado, posted her eighth game of the season with 20 or more points. In addition to capturing its first Pac-12 win of the season, ASU surpassed its win total from last season when it went 8-20.
ASU's 73 points represented the most given up by the Huskies this season. Furthermore, the Sun Devils tied a Washington opponent high by hitting eight triples. ASU was 61.5 percent (8-13) from downtown against the Pac-12's top team/No. 13 in the nation in 3-point FG percentage defense (24.8 percent coming into the game). Crisp scored 16 points and Jaddan Simmons added nine points to go with a team-high six rebounds.
WATCH/LISTEN
Sunday's game can be seen on Pac-12 Arizona (Cindy Brunson, Joan Bonvicini). The game can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060 Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 & 2019 Broadcaster of the Year and a finalist for the 2023 award, Jeff Munn is in his 20th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh.
JALYN BROWN ASCENDING TO SUPERSTAR STATUS
• As the season has progressed, sophomore Jalyn Brown has evolved into one of the top offensive performers in the Pac-12. In Pac-12 games, Brown enters Sunday's game in scoring (22.5 ppg), 11th in FT pct. (82.5/47-57) and 9th in O-rebs (2.25 rpg).
• Brown has played in 18 games (15 starts) and currently leads the team in 30-point games (2), 20-point games (8), scoring (17.3 ppg), is 2nd in 3FGs (1.3 per game), FT pct. (78.0) and FTs made (64) and attempted (82), 3rd in assists (1.3 apg) and minutes (33:35).
• Brown has scored in double figures 15x, including 13x in last 14 games. During that stretch, she is leading team in scoring 19.7 ppg, 3FGs per game (1.4) and FT pct. (81.2/56-69) and is 2nd in minutes (35.9 mpg).
MOST POINTS IN A GAME BY A SUN DEVIL SINCE 2000
35 - Jalyn Brown vs. Colorado (1/7/24)
34 - Jalyn Brown at Washington (1/21/24)
34 - Jade Loville at San Diego (12/18/21)
33 - Jade Loville vs. Oregon St. (2/4/22)
32 - Kylan Loney vs. Arizona (1/31/04)
30 - Kianna Ibis at Utah (12/31/17)
30 - Amanda Levens vs St. Peter's (11/17/01)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• As of Jan. 27, 2023, ASU leads the Pac-12 in FT attempts per game (19.1), is 3rd in FTs made per game (13.15) and fewest turnovers per game (13.1/29th in the nation), 4th in offensive rebounds per game (12.0) and turnover margin (+2.7) and 6th in turnovers forced per game (15.8).
• Individually, Jaddan Simmons is ranked 23rd in the nation in minutes per game (35.9), 27th in FTs made (87) and 32nd in FT attempts (109).
• ASU has had 6 different players lead/tie for team lead in scoring: Brown (8x), Simmons (5x), Kadidia Toure (4x), Crisp (4x), Treasure Hunt (1x) and Journey Thompson. Brown's career-high 35 points vs. No. 5 Colorado on Jan. 7, is the highest single-game total by a Sun Devil this season.
• In the rebounding department, 9 different players have led/tied for the team lead: Thompson (7x), Simmons (5x), Maggie Besselink (4x), Toure (3x), Mallory Miller (2x), Sandra Magolico (2x), Brown (2x), Hunt (1x) and Isadora Souza (1x). Toure's 14-rebound game vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13) represents the most rebounds by a Sun Devil this season.
• ASU has averaged only 11.5 turnovers in its last 14 games. It has had 11 or fewer turnovers 8x during that stretch.
• On Dec. 20, Simmons (now with 1059 points) became the 25th Sun Devil to score more than 1000 points. Simmons played all 80 minutes on recent Washington road trip – at WSU (Jan. 19) and at UW (Jan. 21) – and averaged 11.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 3.0 spg and connected on 87.5 percent of her free throws (14-16).
• In ASU's games vs. Colorado (Jan. 7) and at Oregon (Jan. 12), Isadora Sousa shot 73 percent (8-11 FGs) and averaged 9.0 points in the two contests. She scored career-high 12 points at WSU (Jan. 19).
• Crisp scored a then-career high 17 points 2x in ASU's first seven games. She surpassed that with 18 points vs. GCU (Dec. 8). Crisp has scored in double figures in all but 5 games. She averaged 14.0 ppg in 4 games prior to Utah game in which she left early due to injury. During that stretch: led team in assists (2.75 apg) and was tied with J. Simmons for lead in steals (2.5 spg).
• ASU has allowed 13 or fewer points in a quarter 22x, including 7x in single digits.
• ASU scored a double-digit point total in each of the first 20 quarters of the season. Overall, it has scored in double figures in 64 of 80 quarters.
IN CASE YOU ARE JUST JOINING US
• ASU has had a pair of season-best three-game winning streaks in 2023-24. It started 3-0 after home wins over UTSA (70-55/Nov. 6), Montana State (75-62/Nov. 10) & San Francisco (77-69/Nov. 13). In the first half of its first three wins, ASU averaged 45.3 points & hit 49.5 pct of its shots. In the win vs. UTSA, ASU tied last season's highest point total in a half on its way to a 49-23 halftime lead. Against Montana State (Nov. 30), ASU scored 30 points in the first quarter, representing the third time it has scored 30 or more points in a quarter under head coach Natasha Adair.
• In its first loss at Grambling State (Nov. 16), ASU scored 32 points and shot 38 pct. in the first half while allowing the Tigers to score 45 points. Down by as many as 17, ASU tied the game at 67-67 before the Tigers hit game-winning 3-pointer in final seconds.
• ASU responded with a 72-40 win over Idaho State. The Bengals' final point total represented the fewest given up by ASU since a 49-40 win over VCU on November 27, 2020.
• After dropping an 84-42 decision to Texas in its first game at the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam (Nov. 23), ASU once again rebounded with a 3-game winning streak. Less than 24 hours after the setback to Texas, ASU had to face a South Florida squad (Nov. 24) that entered the game among the Top 50 teams in the nation in rebounding margin (+10.8). ASU rose to the challenge and outrebounded the Bulls 38-32 in its 66-49 win. In its 77-69 win over High Point (Nov. 25), ASU shot 50 percent for the game, the first time it shot 50 percent or higher since a win at San Diego on Dec. 18, 2021. Brown had her first 20-point game, while Hunt just missed a double-double with season highs in points (19) and rebounds (game-high 8 boards).
• ASU made it three straight wins after a 76-66 triumph over Pacific (Dec. 1). Simmons scored 17 of her career-high 26 points in the 2nd half, including 8 points in the final 94 seconds while Brown contributed a career high-tying 20 points for the second straight game.
• The Sun Devils nearly came back from 14 down in the 4th quarter (got within 4 points 2x) before falling to Grand Canyon, 66-59 on Dec. 8. Simmons (20 points), Crisp (18 points) and Brown (16 points) scored all but five of ASU's points. ASU was without Hunt (illness) in the loss.
• ASU dropped consecutive games for the first time this season after falling to Arizona 91-52 in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. The Wildcats got off to a fast start that eventually enabled them to take a 52-24 lead at the half.
• ASU got back on the winning track scoring a season high in an 80-76 win over Fresno State as part of the Jerry Colangelo Hall of Fame Series played at Footprint Series in Phoenix. Toure scored 12 of her career high-tying 22 points in the second half while Brown continued her streak of scoring in double figures in games she has started (eight) with 20 points. Crisp scored 12 points while Simmons and Thompson (career-high four steals) scored 10 points each. ASU shot 49 percent for the game, its second-highest mark of the season. Simmons, who went over 1,000 career points in the fourth quarter of the win, set a career high with eight assists and hit a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining to help clinch the win.
• The short-handed Sun Devils nearly came back from a double-digit deficit but in the end did not have enough to get over the hump in 65-55 loss to Santa Clara (Dec. 30). Crisp and (12 points), Simmons (11 points) and Toure (10 points) led the way for the Sun Devils (8-5), who were without key contributors Maggie Besselink and Treasure Hunt. The Sun Devils trailed by as many as 12 in the first half before transforming their defense into a riddle Santa Clara had no answers for during the latter stages of the first half and for the entire third quarter. The net result was a game tied at 44-44 entering the fourth quarter. Santa Clara outscored ASU 21-11 in the 4th Q.
• ASU came through with one of its most inspired defensive efforts of the season in holding one of the most prolific offenses in the country more than 30 points below its scoring average. Unfortunately, ASU was not able to do enough on the offensive end in a 58-41 loss to No. 15 Utah on Friday night.
• Brown scored 35 points, the most by a Sun Devil in the 21st century and the highest single-game total by a player this season in a game contested between two Pac-12 teams, in ASU's 81-68 loss to No. 5 Colorado on Jan. 7.
• The Sun Devils dropped both of their contests at the Oregon schools: 65-53 at Oregon and 92-55 at Oregon State. Brown led the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 ppg and knocking down 83 percent of her free throws (10-12) in the two games. Also providing major contributions last week was Journey Thompson, who averaged 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, the second time this season Thompson has scored in double figures in consecutive games.
• After falling at WSU 79-64 (Jan. 19), ASU captured its first Pac-12 win at Washington, 73-65 on Jan. 21. Brown posted her second 30-point game of the season, finishing with 34 points to lead the Sun Devils to the win.