 the way with a season-high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting. |
Basketball Prepares for Final Non-Conference Game
Women get set to host San Jose State.
December 22, 1998
Sun Devils Prepare For Final Non-Conference Game
Arizona State returns home from a two-game road swing to California for its final non-conference matchup as the Sun Devils get set to host San Jose State Dec. 30. ASU's three-game winning streak was snapped by UC Santa Barbara Dec. 21 after the Sun Devils put together their first string of three straight wins since the 1996-97 season. Southern California natives Leaf Newman (Perris, Calif.) and Leah Combs (Yorba Linda, Calif.) scored career highs of 20 points and 17 points, respectively, to lead ASU to a 71-53 win over UC Irvine Dec. 18. Against the Gauchos, who were ranked 24th in the Dec. 14 ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll, Rachel Holt led the way with a season-high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Combs contributed her fourth double-double on the year with 15 points and 11 boards. However, ASU was plagued by season-low 48.4 percent freethrow shooting (15-of-31) and managed just two steals on the night, also a season-low.
ASU Sun Devils (5-3, 0-0) vs. San Jose State Spartans (2-9, 0-0)
Wells Fargo Arena * Tempe, Ariz.
Wednesday, Dec. 30 1998 * 7 p.m. MT
COX Sports * KMVP 860 AM
The Series
The ASU-San Jose State series is split at 2-2, with the Spartans emerging victorious in the last meeting (62-57), Dec. 28, 1996. San Jose State has never played the Sun Devils in Tempe. ASU is 0-1 versus the Spartans under Charli Turner Thorne, while Arizona State is 40-36 all-time versus WAC opponents.
Media Exposure
COX Sports of Phoenix will televise the game with George Allen (play-by-play) and Doug Gerlach (color) on the call. KMVP 860 AM will broadcast the game live with Kevin Ray calling the action.
Probable Starters
ASU Sun Devils (5-3) Pos. Ht. Yr. PPG RPG
#4 Leaf Newman F 5-9 So. 9.9 3.1
#13 Leah Combs F 6-2 Fr. 10.0 9.5
#54 Rachel Holt C 6-3 Jr. 11.8 5.4
#15 Kitch Kitchen G 5-7 Jr. 8.6 4.1
#33 Natalie Tucker G 5-9 So. 9.9 4.9*
San Jose State (2-9) Pos.Ht. Yr. PPG RPG
#33 Aisha McGee F 5-11 Jr. 5.5 4.7
#42 Dafina Dailey F 6-0 Fr. 6.8 8.6
#34 Ayana Smith C 6-0 Sr. 10.2 4.5
#13 Rachel Johnson G 5-7 Fr. 9.9 2.7
#32 Kathleen Barrett G 5-9 Sr. 3.6 3.9
* - assists average ** - steals average
Last Time Out
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--Led by 20 points from Kristi Rohr and 19 points from point guard Stacy Clinesmith, UC Santa Barbara handed Arizona State its first loss in four games with a 78-61 victory over the Sun Devils Dec. 21 at the Thunderdome. UCSB took a 35-29 halftime lead into the locker room and opened with a 12-7 run to take an 11-point lead with 14:37 left in the game. Clinesmith sank a three-pointer to put the Gauchos up 50-37. The Sun Devils closed the gap to 10 points (56-46) on a layup by junior Kristine Sand with 9:20 left. However, UCSB kept chipping away and took its biggest lead, 17 points, at the 2:43-mark. The 17-point cushion proved to be the winning margin. In the first half following a 6-6 tie, the Gauchos scored nine unanswered points with four from Nicole Greathouse and a three-pointer by Erin Buescher. But ASU freshman Leah Combs made back-to-back baskets and drained 6 of 8 freethrows on three straight trips to the line to keep the Devils within reach at 23-18. Sand capped an 11-5 ASU run with a pair of freethrows, which brought the Sun Devils to within two (28-26) with 1:52 to play in the first half. Rohr notched 14 of her game-high 20 points in the second half to pace the Gauchos, while Greathouse led all rebounders with 15 boards. For Arizona State, junior Rachel Holt scored 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Combs notched her fourth double-double of the year with 15 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. The Sun Devils were just 2-of-14 (.143) from three-point range and were outrebounded 51-41.
About San Jose State
The Spartans (2-9 overall, 0-0 WAC), are coming off three straight losses at home to Cal State Fullerton (65-51) Dec. 12, Pacific (75-38) Dec. 19 and Cornell (75-54) Dec. 21. Junior guard Megan Gluhan paces the Spartans with 10.9 points per game. True freshman Dafina Dailey averages a team-high 8.6 boards, while true freshman Rachel Johnson has drained a team-high 15 three-pointers in 11 games. San Jose State averages 26.3 turnovers per contest to its opponents' 22.0.
Three In A Row
The win at UC Irvine marked ASU's first string of three consecutive wins in more than two years. The last time ASU did so was in 1996-97, when the Sun Devils defeated the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (88-58) and Syracuse (72-67) in the San Juan Shootout and returned home to beat American University (90-82) in late November-early December 1996.
Pressure's On
Arizona State is forcing its opponents to commit an average of 24.6 turnovers per contest, with a season-high 32 forced against Texas Dec. 2. Sam Houston State turned the ball over 29 times and St. Joseph's committed 28 miscues. The Sun Devils committed a season-low 16 turnovers Dec. 18 at UC Irvine.
On the Money
Sophomore Natalie Tucker has missed just 2 of 24 freethrows on the season, and is shooting a sizzling 91.7 percent from the charity stripe. Tucker, who was named to the Wells Fargo Classic All-Tournament Team on Dec. 6, was ranked third in the nation in freethrow percentage through games as of Dec. 7. As a team, the Sun Devils lead the Pac-10 in freethrow percentage (171-157/.732).
Above the Rim
ASU is outrebounding its opponents by a margin of +4.4 per game to rank fourth in the Pac-10. The Sun Devils are grabbing an average of 40.6 rebounds to their opponents' 36.1, and Arizona State is 5-0 on the year when beating other teams on the glass.
Sand Named Pac-10 Player of the Week
Junior forward Kristine Sand was named Pac-10 Player of the Week on Dec. 7, after scoring a career-high 22 points and grabbing a career-high nine boards in the ASU's overtime championship game win against St. Joseph's in the Wells Fargo Classic. Sand scored four points in the final 46 seconds of regulation, and then tallied seven of ASU's 14 points in OT. Sand is ASU's first Pac-10 Player of the Week since Michelle Tom on Jan. 12, 1998, and ASU's second selection since the 1995-1996 season.
Beyond the Arc
Arizona State leads the Pac-10 in 3-point percentage (38-102/.373), while senior Michelle Tom paces the league from beyond the arc at a 55.5 percent clip (10-18). The Sun Devils connected on half of their treys at UC Irvine (6-of-12) Dec. 18, however, ASU has been either hot or cold from long range this season...
Combs Offers Instant Impact
Freshman Leah Combs stepped into the starting lineup when her roommate, Theresa Jantzen, suffered a fractured foot after the Nov. 4 exhibition game. Combs has been phenomenal on the boards and is among the top-five in Pac-10 double-double leaders, posting her fourth of the year at UCSB Dec. 21 (15 pts./11 reb.). Combs has totaled double figures in rebounding five times, and scored a season-high 17 points in her homecoming at UC Irvine. She recorded her third double-double against Texas (10 pts./11 reb.) Dec. 2. Combs posted 10 points and 10 rebounds Nov. 28 vs. Southwestern Louisiana, and grabbed 15 of ASU's 55 rebounds and scored 12 points in the 68-46 win over Sam Houston State Nov. 21. Playing like anything but a rookie, Combs became the first ASU player to record more than 12 rebounds since Christine Garner posted 13 on Dec. 28, 1996. In ASU's second exhibition game Nov. 14, she scored 18 points and recorded 17 rebounds.
Jeckell & Hyde
Hot or cold best describes ASU's perimeter shooting this season. Arizona State made just 2 of 14 attempts (.143) at UC Santa Barbara Dec. 21. The Sun Devils shot 47 percent (7-of-15) from long range vs. Gonzaga on Dec. 5, but were 3-of-11 the next day against St. Joseph's. ASU displayed brilliant perimeter shooting in three of four halves at the Rutgers Coca-Cola Classic Nov. 28-29, draining a school record-tying nine three-pointers (9-of-17; 53 percent) against Southwestern Louisiana. ASU was red hot from beyond the arc in the first half vs. Rutgers, shooting 62.5 percent (5-of-8), but went 1-for-13 the rest of the way. In its season opener against Sam Houston State, ASU did not make at least one 3-pointer (0-7) for the first time since Dec. 5, 1996. In its two exhibition games, ASU shot a combined 26.5 percent from 3-point range (9-of-34).
Holt: ASU's Mark of Consistency
Junior Rachel Holt has been Arizona State's mark of consistency in the low post since last season. The 6-foot-3 center was named to the Rutgers Coca-Cola Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in ASU's two games. Twelve of Holt's 16 points vs. No. 11 Rutgers came from the charity stripe. Holt opened with 15 points, seven boards and a career-high four blocked shots against Sam Houston State. In her 15 minutes during the second half, she scored 12 points, blocked three shots and grabbed two boards. Against Gonzaga, she posted 14 points and grabbed five boards. Holt added 16 points and a game-high eight rebounds at UC Irvine, then scored a season-high 18 points (on 8-of-9 shooting) at UC Santa Barbara Dec. 21.
Lang Stages Comeback
Battling inflammatory arthritis in her left knee since January 1998, senior point guard Rechelle "Georgie" Lang saw her first minutes of the season in ASU's 71-48 win over Southwestern Louisiana Nov. 28. Although she played just five minutes, seeing #3's jersey on the hardwood marked a personal victory for Lang, who was forced to relinquish her role as ASU's starting point guard last season due to the condition. Lang gave ASU four quality minutes Dec. 2 vs. Texas, as she hit a three-pointer during the Sun Devils' second-half comeback. She scored a season-high seven points (including a three-pointer) and recorded a steal and a rebound against Gonzaga. Lang remains day-to-day with the arthritic knee.
Edwards Returns to the Lineup
Coming off an ACL injury suffered in December 1997, sophomore guard Ebony Edwards (Chandler, Ariz.) played in her first game of the season Dec. 5 against Gonzaga, in the opening game of the Wells Fargo Classic. Ironically, it was in ASU's first game of the 1997 tournament that Edwards injured her right knee. Over the past year, Edwards has undergone four surgeries on the knee, concluding with a final scope on Nov. 11, 1998. Edwards is a two-time Arizona High School Player of the Year (1997, 1996).
Injury Update
Freshman forward Theresa Jantzen, who has not seen action in the regular season, is probable for the Dec. 30 San Jose State game. Jantzen has been rehabilitating a fractured left foot, which was discovered after ASU's Nov. 4 exhibition game.
Expecting A Successful Season And...
ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne (Stanford '88) is planning for a lot more than just a highly successful basketball season this year. The third-year head coach and her husband are expecting their first child, a son, on Feb. 6. Turner Thorne's due date also happens to be the date of ASU's home game against Washington.
Did You Know?
Just two Arizona State players -- junior center Rachel Holt and junior forward Kristine Sand -- have played at least two years of Division I basketball.
Moving Forward
Since Charli Turner Thorne took over the reigns of the program in 1996-97, the Sun Devils have began a climb back toward the prominence enjoyed by ASU teams in the early 1990s. After an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1991-1992 and a 17-win season in 1992-93, ASU had averaged just 2.7 conference wins and 6.7 overall wins in the three seasons before Turner Thorne was brought in.
Year Overall Conf. Coach
1997-98 10-17 6-12/T7th Charli Turner Thorne
1996-97 9-19 3-15/9th Charli Turner Thorne
1995-96 8-19 4-14/9th Jacquie Hullah
1994-95 8-19 2-16/10th Jacquie Hullah
1993-94 4-22 2-16/T9th Jacquie Hullah
1992-93 17-10 10-8/T4th Maura McHugh
1991-92 20-9 11-7/5th Maura McHugh
Tempe TurnaroundAfter 63 games at the helm of the ASU women's basketball program, Head Coach Charli Turner Thorne has the Sun Devils heading back in the winning direction. After enjoying an NCAA Tournament berth in 1991-92, ASU had not recorded more than eight wins in a season for three straight years (1993-94 to 1995-96) before Turner Thorne arrived in Tempe in June 1996. A lot has been changing since then. Last season Turner Thorne guided ASU to:
What They've Been Saying About ASU
Texas Coach Jody Conradt , Dec. 2, 1998: "That was a really hard-fought game, and both teams played as hard as they can play. Arizona State was really aggressive defensively. They played very hard and had a 'Don't Quit' attitude, and it's petrifying to play that kind of team on the road because anything can happen -- and almost did."
Exhibition #1
Five Sun Devils reached double figures in scoring Nov. 4, including Theresa Jantzen with 13 points and seven rebounds in just 15 minutes of play. ASU forced 30 turnovers and recorded 13 steals. Rachel Holt led the way for the Devils with 15 points and five rebounds, while Kristine Sand added 14 points and four boards. Natalie Tucker added seven assists and five rebounds.
Exhibition #2
Six players scored in double figures Nov. 14, paced by Leah Combs' team-high 18 points (on 7-of-10 shooting) and 17 rebounds. Kristine Sand contributed 16 points and five rebounds. Leaf Newman added 12 points and posted seven rebounds. Rachel Holt, Aubrey McFadyen and Michelle Tom each scored 10 points. ASU forced 31 turnovers and outrebounded the Australians 59-28. The Devils shot 43.6 percent from the field (17-of-39).
Game 1
Freshman forward Leah Combs notched a double-double (12 points/15 rebounds) to lead Arizona State to a 68-46 win over Sam Houston State in its regular season opener at Wells Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils stormed out to a 15-2 lead, but found Sam Houston State within five points (43-38) with 9:15 left in the game. ASU made good on 11 of 12 freethrows and outscored the LadyKats 15-2 in the final 5:45 to put the game out of reach for good. Junior point-guard Natalie Tucker contributed a career high 16 points and six rebounds to go along with her career-high tying seven assists. Tucker was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Junior Rachel Holt added 15 points, seven rebounds and a career-high four blocked shots. The LadyKats were led by Andee Sheiron who tallied 15 points and grabbed two boards. Nine of Sheiron's points came on three pointers. ASU recorded 55 rebounds, its most since Dec. 5, 1996, when it notched 58 boards vs. American University. The Sun Devils were 0-for-7 from three-point range and committed 34 turnovers.
Game 2
PISCATAWAY, N.J.-- Three players reached double figures in scoring, paced by sophomore guard Leaf Newman's 16 points, to help lead ASU past Southwestern Louisiana, 71-48, at the Rutgers Coca-Cola Classic. The Ragin' Cajuns narrowed the Sun Devil lead to 11 points with 8:24 to go, but Arizona State countered with a 15-2 run that included back-to-back three-pointers by New Jersey native Kitch Kitchen and a trey from Newman, who finished with a career-high three three-pointers and four assists. Southwestern Louisiana never threatened after that, and Arizona State owned a 39-21 lead at halftime. The Sun Devils jumped ahead 6-0, holding the Ragin' Cajuns scoreless until the 15:10 mark. USL closed the gap to five points once (13-8), but the Sun Devils outscored USL 26-13 the rest of the way. Freshman forward Leah Combs finished with her second consecutive double-double (10 points/10 rebounds). Sophomore Natalie Tucker dished out a game-high five assists and added nine points and a career-high seven rebounds. ASU owned the edge on the glass, 46-35, and drained a school record-tying nine three-pointers (9-of-17) to shoot 52.9 percent from the perimeter. USL was paced by Elizabeth Mosby's 15 points and nine rebounds.
Game 3
PISCATAWAY, N.J.-- ASU took second place at the Rutgers Coca-Cola Classic, falling to No. 11 Rutgers 67-48 in the Championship Game. A three-pointer by Kristine Sand knotted the score at 10 early on, and Arizona State made five of seven three-point field goals in the first 12 minutes to keep pace with the Scarlet Knights, 29-21. But point guard Natalie Tucker picked up her second personal foul less than four minutes into the game and was forced to sit for most of the first half. A pair of freethrows by freshman Leah Combs brought the Sun Devils to within four points with under seven minutes to go in the first half, however, the Scarlet Knights settled down to take a 40-30 advantage into the locker room. In the second half, Rutgers held the Sun Devils scoreless for 9:10, as ASU managed just 18 points off four field goals and nine freethrows. The Sun Devils struggled on the perimeter to the tune of 7.7 percent shooting (1-13) in the second stanza. Rachel Holt scored 12 of her 16 points from the charity stripe and added six rebounds to pace ASU. Shawnetta Stewart led the Scarlet Knights with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Linda Miles and Davalyn Cunningham each chipped in 13 points. Rutgers controlled the boards, outrebounding the Sun Devils 42-27, including 28 defensive rebounds. The Scarlet Knights shot 49.1 percent from the field (28-of-57) to ASU's 27.1 percent (13-of-48).
Game 4
Texas guard Kim Lummus sank both ends of a two-shot foul with 11.2 seconds left to lift the Longhorns to a 77-75 win over Arizona State Dec. 2 at Wells Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils scored the first points of the game, but Texas took the lead after two minutes and would never relinquish it. The Longhorns owned a 44-28 advantage at halftime, largely on the strength of 65.6 percent shooting (21-of-32) in the first period. UT stormed ahead to take a 69-49 lead with 7:28 remaining, but Arizona State used a 26-6 run to tie the score at 75 with 14 seconds left. Kitch Kitchen added 10 points (including two three-pointers) in the run, Natalie Tucker scored six points and Michelle Tom added a three-pointer. Lummus was fouled by Tom at the :012-mark and made both freethrows, giving the Horns the two-point winning margin. A jump shot by Tucker fell short as the buzzer sounded. Kitchen scored a game-high 16 points, adding season-highs of six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Tucker posted 14 points and recorded four steals, while Kristine Sand added a season-high 10 points. Leah Combs notched her third double-double with 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Edwina Brown paced Texas with 14 points, while Rashunda Johnson added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Game 5
The Sun Devils opened their home tournament by scoring a season-high 96 points to route Gonzaga 96-52 at the Wells Fargo Classic. Sophomore point guard Natalie Tucker (Georgetown, Texas) scored a game- and career-high 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including three 3-pointers, all of which came in the first half. Senior Michelle Tom (Winslow, Ariz.) chipped in 11 points and a career-high nine assists, narrowly missing a double-double. ASU led 20-8 early on, but the Zags pulled to within five (21-16) at the 9:07-mark. The Sun Devils manufactured a 19-3 run to go up 40-19 with 3:49 left in the first half, and never looked back. ASU held a convincing 52-27 lead at the intermission, and owned a 27-13 edge on the glass. Arizona State led by as many as 49 points in the second period and outscored the Zags 44-25 in the second stanza, shooting at a 55.2 percent clip (16-for-29). On the night, ASU shot 53.2 percent, its best outing since shooting 62.5 percent at Washington State, Feb. 5, 1998. Junior center Rachel Holt (Buckeye, Ariz.) contributed 14 points and five rebounds, while junior guard Kitch Kitchen (Newark, N.J.) recorded 13 points and a career-high seven assists. ASU sophomore Ebony Edwards (Chandler, Ariz.) saw her first action since an ACL injury in the 1997 ASU Wells Fargo Classic. Edwards finished with four points and one rebound in six minutes of play. Tenille Jeffries chipped in a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Jessica Malone added 10 points to lead Gonzaga.
Game 6
Arizona State claimed the championship trophy in its home tournament with a 66-58 overtime win over St. Joseph's at the Wells Fargo Classic. Junior forward Kristine Sand (Oslo, Norway) scored a game- and career-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including two 3-pointers. Sand also grabbed a game- and career-high nine rebounds and was named the tournament MVP, scoring four points in the final 46 seconds and posting seven of ASU's 14 points in overtime. Sophomore Leaf Newman (Perris, Calif.) also contributed with 10 points and four boards. The Hawks, who have four starters back from a squad that went to the second round of the WNIT and won 19 games last season, controlled the first half leading ASU 17-10 at the 11:51-mark and shooting at a 51.7 percent clip (15-29). The Devils pulled within three (20-23) on a jumper by Newman with 4:52 remaining in the half but the Hawks went on a 10-2 run to lead 33-22 at intermission. Arizona State was down by as many as 11 points in the second half but went on an 8-0 run with 2:05 left in the game and took a two-point lead on a Sand layup. St. Joseph's forward Susan Moran made a jumper with nine seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Arizona State outscored the Hawks 14-6 in overtime, shooting 41.7 percent on the night. Three St. Joseph's players scored in double figures. Susan Moran chipped in with 14 points while Angela Zampella recorded 10. Cheryl Kulsea led the Hawks with 17 points.
Game 7
IRVINE, Calif.--Led by a career-high 20 points from sophomore Leaf Newman, Arizona State rolled past UC Irvine 71-53, winning its third straight game for the first time since 1996-97. After holding a 32-32 lead at the intermission, the Sun Devils opened the second period with a 12-3 run to up their lead to 20 points. The Anteaters never came closer than 13 points the rest of the way. A three-pointer by Michelle Tom at the 9:23-mark helped the Sun Devils regain their 20-point lead. ASU shut down UCI point guard Megan Stafford, who came into Friday night's game averaging 19.3 points, holding her to just five points on the night. ASU took an early 8-0 lead, and then put together a 20-8 run to pull ahead 28-8 with 7:20 left in the first half. Newman and Kitch Kitchen each drained a three-point field goal in the run. However, the Anteaters answered with an 11-4 run the rest of the way and were down by 11 at the break. A native of nearby Yorba Linda, Calif., freshman Leah Combs scored six of ASU's first eight points on the night. The Sun Devils limited UCI to just 16 attempts in the first half (8-of-16). Newman, from nearby Perris, Calif., notched her career-high scoring night in front of more than 20 family and friends. In addition to Newman, Combs reached double figures with a season-high 17 points and seven rebounds and Rachel Holt contributed 16 points and a game-high eight rebounds. ASU was 6-of-12 from three-point range (50.0 percent) on the night and shot 46.6 percent from the field (27-of-58). The Devils owned a narrow 33-30 edge on the glass, but forced UCI to commit 23 turnovers and give up a season-high 71 points.
ASU's Record When...
At Home 3-1
On the Road 1-2
At a Neutral Site 1-0
Scoring First 3-2
Leading At Halftime 4-0
Trailing at Halftime 1-3
Tied at Halftime 0-0
Leading with 5:00 Left 4-0
Trailing with 5:00 Left 1-3
Tied with 5:00 Left 0-0
In Overtime 1-0
In Double-Overtime 0-0
Scoring Less Than 70 Points 2-2
Scoring Between 70-79 Points 2-1
Scoring Between 80-89 Points 0-0
Scoring 90 or More Points 1-0
5 Players Score in Double Figures 0-0
4 Players Score in Double Figures 1-1
3 Players Score in Double Figures 3-0
2 or Less Players Score in Double Figures 1-2
ASU Shoots 50% or Better From Field 1-0
ASU Shoots Less Than 50% From Field 4-3
ASU Outrebounds or Ties Opponent 5-0
Opponent Outrebounds ASU 0-3
ASU Commits More Turnovers 1-2
Opponent Commits More Turnovers 4-1
ASU Records More Assists 4-1
Opponents Records More Assists 0-1
Game is Decided By 5 Points or Less 0-1
Game is Decided By 6-10 Points 1-0
Game is Decided By 11-15 Points 0-0
Game is Decided by 16-20 Points 1-2
Game is Decided By 21 Points or More 3-0
The Last Time a Sun Devil...
Scored 30 or More Points Molly Tuter (33), 1/30/97
Scored 40 or More Points Melanie Francis (41), 1/3/94
Posted 12 or More Rebounds Leah Combs (15) 11/21/98
Recorded 10 or More Assists Kalene Carl (13), 1/16/97
Made 10 or more Field Goals Kisha White (10), 2/19/98
Made 4 or more 3-pointers Stephanie Freeman (4), 2/28/98
The Last Time ASU...
Scored 100 or More Points vs. Long Island (118), 12/20/97
Allowed 100 or More Points vs. Oregon (100), 1/24/98
Won By 20 or More vs. SW Louisiana (23), 11/28/98
Won By 30 or More vs. Gonzaga (44), 12/5/98
Won in Overtime vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Lost in Overtime vs. Oregon, 2/19/98
Beat a Ranked Team vs. Washington (#8), 1/8/98
Beat a Top-5 Team vs. Stanford (#3), 2/27/92
1998-99 Pac-10 Standings (as of 12/21)
ASU -- Pac-10 Team Rankings (as of 12/21)TEAM PAC-10 OVERALL Oregon State - 8-1 Oregon - 7-2 UCLA - 7-2 Washington State - 6-2 Arizona State - 5-2 California - 4-2 Arizona - 5-3 USC - 4-4 Stanford - 4-6 Washington - 3-5
Scoring Offense- 7th (70.7 ppg)
Scoring Defense- 2nd (57.3 ppg)
Scoring Margin- 2nd (+13.4)
Field Goal %- 5th (171-415/.412)
Field Goal % Def.- 5th (161-391/.412)
Free Throw %- 1st (171-257/.732)
Rebounding Margin- 4th (+4.4)
3-Point Field Goal %- 1st (38-102/.373)
3-Point Field Goals Made- 3rd (5.43 avg.)
ASU -- Pac-10 Individual Rankings (as of 12/21)
Scoring 20th - Rachel Holt (10.9 ppg)
Rebounds 4th - Leah Combs (9.3 rpg)
Steals 8th - Natalie Tucker (2.43 spg)
Field Goal % 10th - Natalie Tucker (.535)
Assists 5th - Kitch Kitchen (4.43 avg.)
6th - Natalie Tucker (4.14 avg.)
3-Point Field Goal % 1st - Michelle Tom (.556)
Free Throw % 1st - Natalie Tucker (21-22/.955)
Sun Devils On Television
Date Opponent Time/Result Outlet Dec. 2 Texas L, 75-77 COX Sports Dec. 18 @ UC Irvine W, 71-53 COX Comm. Dec. 30 San Jose State 7 p.m. MT COX Sports Jan. 2 USC 1 p.m. MT FOX Sports Net Feb. 13 Arizona 6 p.m. MT FOX Sports AZ Feb. 19 @ Oregon 8 p.m. MT FOX Sports AZ Feb. 21 @ Oregon St. 2 p.m. MT FOX Sports Net
Sun Devil Radio Exposure
Once again, ASU flagship station KMVP 860 AM will broadcast all Sun Devil women's basketball games (home and away), with Kevin Ray calling the action. Ray, who enters his fourth season as the radio voice of ASU women's basketball, also calls all the action for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
Associated Press Top 25 (Dec. 21, 1998)
1. Connecticut (37) 14. Alabama
2. Tennessee (3) 15. Rutgers
3. Purdue 16. Duke
4. Georgia 17. Virginia Tech
5. Louisiana Tech 18. Iowa State
6. North Carolina 19. Nebraska
7. Notre Dame 20. Florida
8. UCLA 21. George Washington
9. Colorado State 22. Kansas
10. Texas Tech 23. Virginia
11. Clemson 24. Memphis
12. Penn State 25. Santa Clara
13. Old Dominion
ESPN/USA Today Top 25 (Dec. 21, 1998)
1. Connecticut (37) 14. Old Dominion
2. Tennessee (3) 15. Penn State
3. Purdue 16. Nebraska
4. Georgia 17. Iowa State
5. Louisiana Tech 18. Florida
6. North Carolina 19. Virginia Tech
7. Notre Dame 20. Duke
8. UCLA 21. Kansas
9. Colorado State 22. George Washington
10. Texas Tech 23. Virginia
11. Clemson 24. SW Missouri State
12. Alabama 25. Memphis
13. Rutgers
1998-99 ASU Women's Basketball Season & Career Highs
#3 RECHELLE LANG
Season Highs
Points: 7 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
3-Pointers: 1(twice), last vs. St. Joseph's,12/6/98
Rebounds: 1(three times), last at UC Santa Barbara, 12/21/98
Assists: 1 at Rutgers, 11/29/98
Steals: 1 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Blocks: --
Minutes: 13 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Career Highs
Points: 11 vs. UC Santa Barbara, 11/20/97
3-Pointers: 2 (twice), last vs. UCLA, 1/4/98
Rebounds: 7 vs. New Mexico State, 12/6/97
Assists: 9 vs. Long Island, 12/20/97
Steals: 4 vs. Long Island, 12/20/97
Blocks: 2 vs. Dayton, 11/30/97
Minutes: 34 vs. Auburn, 12/21/97
#4 Leaf Newman
Season Highs
Points: 20 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
3-Pointers: 3 vs. SW Louisiana, 11/28/98
Rebounds: 4 (four times), last at UC Santa Barbara, 12/21/98
Assists: 4 vs. Southwestern Louisiana, 11/28/98
Steals: 2 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
Blocks: 1 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Minutes: 31 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
Career Highs
Points: 20 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
3-Pointers: 3 vs. Southwestern Louisiana, 11/28/98
Rebounds: 7 (twice), last vs. WSU, 1/10/98
Assists: 4 vs. Southwestern Louisiana, 11/28/984
Steals: 4 vs. Dayton, 11/30/97
Blocks: 2 vs. Long Island, 12/20/97
Minutes: 31 at. UC Irvine, 12/18/98
#5 Ebony Edwards
Season Highs
Points: 4 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 2 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
Assists: 1 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
Steals: --
Blocks: --
Minutes: 6 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Career Highs
Points: 18 vs. UC Santa Barbara, 11/20/97
3-Pointers: 2 vs. UC Santa Barbara, 11/20/97
Rebounds: 6 vs. UC Santa Barbara, 11/20/97
Assists: 2 (twice), last vs. Marquette, 11/29/97
Steals: 3 vs. Long Island, 12/20/97
Blocks: --
Minutes: 29 at New Mexico, 12/20/97
#11 Aubrey McFadyen
Season Highs
Points: 8 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 7 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Assists: 1 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Steals: 1 (twice), last vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Blocks: 1 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Minutes: 19 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Career Highs
Points: 8 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 7 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Assists: 2
Steals: 3
Blocks: 2
#13 LEAH COMBS
Season/Career Highs
Points: 17 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 15 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Assists: 1(four times), last at UC Santa Barbara, 12/21/98
Steals: 2 (twice), last vs. SW Louisiana, 11/28/98
Blocks: --
Minutes: 32 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
#14 Kristine Sand
Season Highs
Points: 22 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
3-Pointers: 2 (twice),last vs. St. Joseph's,12/6/98
Rebounds: 9 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Assists: 3 vs. Texas, 12/2/98
Steals: 3 vs. Texas, 12/2/98
Blocks: 2 vs. St. Joseph's,12/6/98
Minutes: 34 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Career Highs
Points: 22 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
3-Pointers: 3 vs. California, 1/31/98
Rebounds: 9 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Assists: 3 (twice), last vs. Texas, 12/2/98
Steals: 3 vs. Marquette, 11/29/97
Blocks: 2 (twice), last vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Minutes: 34 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
#15 KITCH KITCHEN
Season/Career Highs
Points: 16 vs. Texas, 12/2/98
3-Pointers: 3 vs. SW Louisiana, 11/28/98
Rebounds: 6 (twice), last vs. Texas, 12/2/98
Assists: 7 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Steals: 4 vs. St. Joseph's
Blocks: --
Minutes: 37 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
#22 THERESA JANTZEN
Season/Career Highs
Points:
3-Pointers:
Rebounds:
Assists:
Steals:
Blocks:
Minutes:
#24 KRISTY HANGARTNER
Season/Career Highs
Points: 2 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 3 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Assists: 1 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Steals: --
Blocks: --
Minutes: 7 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
#32 Michelle Tom
Season Highs
Points: 11 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: 3 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Rebounds: 3 (twice), last vs. Texas, 12/2/98
Assists: 9 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Steals: 2 vs. Texas, 12/2/98
Blocks: 1 at Rutgers, 11/29/98
Minutes: 27 at Rutgers, 11/29/98
Career Highs
Points: 19 vs. Washington, 1/8/98
3-Pointers: 3 (twice), last vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Rebounds: 6 vs. Washington, 1/8/98
Assists: 9 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Steals: 4 vs. Washington, 1/8/98
Blocks: 1 (twice), last at Rutgers, 11/29/98
Minutes: 36 vs. Oregon, 2/19/98
#33 NATALIE TUCKER
Season Highs
Points: 17 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: 3 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Rebounds: 7 vs. SW Louisiana, 11/28/98
Assists: 8 at UC Santa Barbara, 12/21/98
Steals: 4 (twice), last vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Blocks: --
Minutes: 39 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
Career Highs
Points: 17 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: 3 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Rebounds: 7 vs. SW Louisiana, 11/28/98
Assists: 8 at UC Santa Barbara, 12/21/98
Steals: 4 (twice), last vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Blocks: 1
Minutes: 39 vs. St. Joseph's, 12/6/98
#40 Jennifer Bennett
Season/Career Highs
Points: 3 vs. Texas, 12/2/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 2 (twice), last at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
Assists: --
Steals: --
Blocks: 1 at UC Irvine, 12/18/98
Minutes: 10 vs. Texas, 12/2/98
#50 Kellie McDanal
Season Highs
Points: 6 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 2 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Assists: --
Steals: 1 vs. Southwestern Louisiana, 11/28/98
Blocks: --
Minutes: 14 vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Career Highs
Points: 8 vs. Long Island, 12/20/97
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 5 (twice), last vs. UCLA, 3/5/98
Assists: 1 at Arizona, 2/14/98
Steals: 1 (twice), last vs. SW Louisiana, 11/28/98
Blocks: 1 (three times), last vs. Oregon State, 2/21/98
Minutes: 16 (3 times), last vs. UCLA, 3/5/98
#54 Rachel Holt
Season Highs
Points: 18 at UC Santa Barbara, 12/21/98
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 7 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Assists: 1 (twice), last vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Steals: 1 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Blocks: 4 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98
Minutes: 31(twice), last at UCSB, 12/21/98
Career Highs
Points: 24 vs. Long Island, 12/20/97
3-Pointers: --
Rebounds: 11 vs. Long Island, 12/20/97
Assists: 1 (nine times) last vs. Gonzaga, 12/5/98
Steals: 4 at Arizona, 2/14/98
Blocks: 4 vs. Sam Houston State, 11/21/98