TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devil women's basketball team celebrated New Year's Day by defeating Texas Tech 79-61 to claim its first Big 12 win in its first Big 12 home game.
The Sun Devils (7-7, 1-1 Big 12) had six players post double-digit scoring totals on Wednesday: Kennedy Fauntleroy (17 points), Tyi Skinner (16 points), Jyah LoVett (13 points), Nevaeh Parkinson (12 points), Maggie Besselink (11 points) and Jazion Jackson (10 points).
For the third time this season, ASU connected on higher than 50 percent of its shots (50.8), including 54.8 percent (17-31) of its attempts in the second half.
Parkinson and Kennedy Basham each grabbed eight boards helping ASU finish plus-seven for the game (39-32). Five of Parkinson's rebounds came on the offensive end. Although each team had 13 offensive rebounds, it was the Sun Devils who took advantage of the extra opportunities outscoring the Lady Raiders (12-3, 1-1) 17-10 in second chance points.
Fauntleroy and Jackson each had six helpers to account for 12 of ASU's 18 assists. It was the fifth this season Fauntleroy dished out six or more assists in a game. Defensively, Jackson made her presence known with a game-high five steals, the third time this season she has collected four or more steals in a game.
A 3-pointer by LoVett and a layup by Parkinson gave the Sun Devils the early an early 5-0 advantage. The Red Raiders answered by scoring the next 10 points to double up ASU 10-5.
Trailing 12-9, the Sun Devils scored seven straight points to reclaim the lead, 16-12. From that point on they were in command of the game on the scoreboard. They led 21-15 after one quarter and more than doubled that lead taking a 38-25 lead into the locker room. Led by Parkinson (10 points), Skinner and Fauntleroy (nine points each) ASU led by as many as 15 in the first half.
A 13-4 run to start the second half helped Texas Tech get within four, 42-38. Still up by four, 45-41, the Sun Devils went on a 14-2 run in the space of only 3:30 to take a commanding 16-point lead after Skinner's 3-pointer with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter.
Jackson's 3-pointer a little under three minutes into the fourth quarter gave ASU its largest lead of the game, 69-48. It was the first of four times the Sun Devils led by 21 in the final 7:15.
In the second half, Jackson (10 points), Fauntleroy and Lovette (eight points each), and Skinner (seven points) helped the Sun Devils secure their first conference win.
Texas Tech's 61 points represented the second fewest total ASU has allowed this season. In addition, it was the fifth time in the last six games the Sun Devils have allowed 67 or fewer points.
After not playing a game for nine days, the Sun Devils will play their third game in six days on Saturday (5 p.m. MST) when they visit Houston. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on KDUS AM 1060.
The Sun Devils (7-7, 1-1 Big 12) had six players post double-digit scoring totals on Wednesday: Kennedy Fauntleroy (17 points), Tyi Skinner (16 points), Jyah LoVett (13 points), Nevaeh Parkinson (12 points), Maggie Besselink (11 points) and Jazion Jackson (10 points).
For the third time this season, ASU connected on higher than 50 percent of its shots (50.8), including 54.8 percent (17-31) of its attempts in the second half.
Parkinson and Kennedy Basham each grabbed eight boards helping ASU finish plus-seven for the game (39-32). Five of Parkinson's rebounds came on the offensive end. Although each team had 13 offensive rebounds, it was the Sun Devils who took advantage of the extra opportunities outscoring the Lady Raiders (12-3, 1-1) 17-10 in second chance points.
Fauntleroy and Jackson each had six helpers to account for 12 of ASU's 18 assists. It was the fifth this season Fauntleroy dished out six or more assists in a game. Defensively, Jackson made her presence known with a game-high five steals, the third time this season she has collected four or more steals in a game.
A 3-pointer by LoVett and a layup by Parkinson gave the Sun Devils the early an early 5-0 advantage. The Red Raiders answered by scoring the next 10 points to double up ASU 10-5.
Trailing 12-9, the Sun Devils scored seven straight points to reclaim the lead, 16-12. From that point on they were in command of the game on the scoreboard. They led 21-15 after one quarter and more than doubled that lead taking a 38-25 lead into the locker room. Led by Parkinson (10 points), Skinner and Fauntleroy (nine points each) ASU led by as many as 15 in the first half.
A 13-4 run to start the second half helped Texas Tech get within four, 42-38. Still up by four, 45-41, the Sun Devils went on a 14-2 run in the space of only 3:30 to take a commanding 16-point lead after Skinner's 3-pointer with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter.
Jackson's 3-pointer a little under three minutes into the fourth quarter gave ASU its largest lead of the game, 69-48. It was the first of four times the Sun Devils led by 21 in the final 7:15.
In the second half, Jackson (10 points), Fauntleroy and Lovette (eight points each), and Skinner (seven points) helped the Sun Devils secure their first conference win.
Texas Tech's 61 points represented the second fewest total ASU has allowed this season. In addition, it was the fifth time in the last six games the Sun Devils have allowed 67 or fewer points.
After not playing a game for nine days, the Sun Devils will play their third game in six days on Saturday (5 p.m. MST) when they visit Houston. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on KDUS AM 1060.