Dec. 10, 1997
New Mexico Hands ASU Women 67-39 Loss
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-- New Mexico's Sonya Bryant scored 21 points and pulled down a game-high tying seven rebounds to lead the Lobos to a 67-39 defeat of Arizona State Wednesday night at the Pit.
Extending its winning streak to seven games, New Mexico (8-1) took advantage of 17 first-half Sun Devil turnovers to build a 34-19 lead after the first 20 minutes of play.
"Our three starting guards had 15 turnovers in the first half," said ASU Coach Charli Turner Thorne. "We threw the ball away. We made unforced errors and displayed a lack of focus. I am very disappointed; we played very unintelligently."
The Sun Devils trailed 16-13 with just under 10 minutes to go in the first period. An 18-6 run by the Lobos followed, with Bryant contributing six points. New Mexico went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe during the span and finished 10-for-10 in the half.
ASU could not pull closer than 13 points in the second stanza, committing 11 more turnovers. Sophomore forward Kristine Sand (Oslo, Norway) scored all of her eight points after intermission but the Sun Devils shot 28.6 percent (6-for-21) in the second period.
Sophomore center Rachel Holt (Buckeye, Ariz.) paced the Sun Devils with nine points (on 4-for-7 shooting) and a career-high seven rebounds. Freshman guard Ebony Edwards (Chandler, Ariz.) and Sand chipped in eight points apiece.
New Mexico recorded 17 steals to ASU's seven, however the Sun Devils held their own in the rebounding department, with 30 boards to UNM's 34. The Lobos connected on 90.0 percent (19-for-20) of their free throws.
Arizona State is back in action Dec. 20-21 when it hosts the ASU Wells Fargo Classic at the University Activity Center. In Saturday's first round, the Sun Devils meet up with Long Island at 4 p.m., while No. 16 Auburn faces UNC Wilmington at 6 p.m.
ASU Wells Fargo Classic at the UAC
- Dec. 20: ASU vs. Long Island, 4 p.m./Auburn vs. UNC Wilmington, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 21: Consolation Game, 4 p.m./ Championship, 7 p.m.