Dec. 2, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. - Kimberly Brandon and Jada Blackwell each scored 12 points and Kali Bennettadded 11 in leading Arizona State to a 74-43 win over Eastern Washington in the first round of the ASU Classic.
The Sun Devils (5-1) had overwhelming advantages in rebounds (55-35), points in the paint (34-14), second-chance points (20-7) and bench points (36-16) while limiting the Eagles (3-4) to 28 percent shooting.
Brandon (nine rebounds), Bennett (seven) and Joy Burke(seven) led ASU's rebounding effort as they combined for 23 boards. Burke also accounted for a season-best seven points to go along with a career-high five blocks.
Eighteen assists punctuated the Sun Devils' fluidity on the offensive end as Deja Mann, who had career highs in points (11) and rebounds (seven) in ASU's contest against No. 11 Rutgers on Saturday had another career best on Friday with seven assists.
Blackwell, who came into Friday's game leading the Sun Devils in field goal percentage, was perfect from the floor (4-4 FGs, 4-4 FTs) while also contributing six rebounds and three steals.
The two teams played on fairly even terms through the first eight minutes before the Sun Devils took control with a 13-2 run to take a 28-15 lead after Bennett's layup with four minutes left in the half.
Blackwell (eight points) and Deja Mann(six points) combined for 14 points in the first half to help give the Sun Devils a 36-20 lead at the intermission.
ASU came out and scored 11 of the first 13 points in the second half to stretch their lead to 47-22 with 16:11 remaining in the game. Brandon, who had eight of her 12 points in the second half, scored six consecutive points during the scoring run.
The Sun Devils' advantage would not dip below 20 points the rest of the game as 11 players would get into the scoring column by game's end while all 12 players who participated had at least two rebounds.
Contributing to ASU's success was its ability to hold the Eagles' top offensive performer, senior guard Brianne Ryan, in check. Ryan was held to 13 points in the game and connected on less than a third of her shots (5-17 FGs).
The Sun Devils had excellent perimeter defense throughout the afternoon in hounding the Eagles into an eight-percent outing (2-19) from beyond the arc.
The Sun Devils will look to win the ASU Classic tomorrow when they play Illinois State in the championship game. The Redbirds advanced to Saturday's final with a 78-50 win over Arkansas State.
Saturday's action begins at noon when Arkansas State and Eastern Washington square off in the consolation game and will be followed by the championship game between ASU and Illinois State.
The ASU-Illinois State game can be heard live on The Fan AM 1060 and can be seen live via webcast at www.foxsportsarizona.com.