Nov. 20, 2005
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Led by junior F Emily Westerberg and senior F Kristen Kovesdy, who combined for 26 points, the No. 15 Arizona State women's basketball team defeated the San Diego Toreros 67-63 on Sunday afternoon.
In a game that featured runs for both teams, ASU (3-0) was able to hold off a very game San Diego squad (0-2), which forced the Sun Devils into 25 turnovers while also shooting 51.0 percent from the field. The Devils were able to counter the Toreros with a brilliant shooting performance of their own, shooting 54 percent from the field.
"This was not one of our best performances today," said ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne following the game. "I don't think our focus was what it needed to be. I think if the younger players did not know it already they know it now: Any given day in the game of basketball any team can beat any team."
Westerberg had 12 of her team-high 14 points in the second half on five-of-six shooting for the game while also leading the team with eight rebounds. Kovesdy added 12 points on five-of seven shooting to go along with five rebounds.
Playing their first road game of the season, the Sun Devils started the game a little sluggish as San Diego raced out to a 17-6 lead less than eight minutes into the game. The Sun Devils would respond with a 14-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 20-19. From that point the game would become a see-saw affair as the Toreros took a 33-32 lead into the locker room. Kovesdy led ASU with nine points in the first half.
In contrast to their slow start at the beginning of the game, the Sun Devils came out in the second half and went on an 18-4 run to take their largest lead of the game at 50-37. Sophomore guard Jill Noe and Westerberg each had four points during ASU's scoring run.
Led by sophomore G Amanda Rego (16 points, four assists and six steals) and senior G Tiara Harris (14 points), the Toreros fought back time and again, getting as close as four points (51-47) with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. However, each time San Diego would get close, someone else would step up for the Sun Devils to ensure the team's victory.
"We found a way to stay with things and come away with the win," said Turner Thorne.
The Sun Devils return to action on Friday when they take on No. 8 North Carolina in the Caribbean Classic in Cancun, Mexico. Tip-off will be at 12:40 p.m. (Arizona time).