STILLWATER, Okla. – Despite 20-point games from Tyi Skinner (23 points) and Jalyn Brown (20 points), the Sun Devil women's basketball team was unable to make up a big second half deficit in its 83-71 loss at No. 24 Oklahoma State on Wednesday night.
With a career- and team-high 11 rebounds, Brown posted her first career double-double to go with a career high-tying five assists. It was also the seventh time in her last 10 games – ninth time this season – that Brown has scored 20 or more points.
For Skinner, who also had a team-high six assists, it was her sixth 20-point effort of the season, her first since a 27-point outing at San Francisco (Dec. 17). Skinner scored 20 or more points four times in ASU's first seven games, including a career-high 30 points in ASU's season opener vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4).
The Cowgirls (18-3, 8-2 Big 12) had advantages over the Sun Devils (8-14, 2-8 Big 12) in points off turnovers (19-10) and fast break points (21-11). One statistic that was literally the difference in the game – in terms of point differential – was the number of 3-pointers made by each team: OSU (11), ASU (7).
Although Oklahoma State was only plus-one in rebounds (41-40), it had a 19-13 advantage in second chance points.
Complementing Brown's career night in rebounds were Nevaeh Parkinson and Jazion Jackson who had seven rebounds each. In addition, Kennedy Basham had six blocks for the second time this season – one short of matching her career high – to go with seven points and three rebounds.
Trailing by 15 at halftime, the Sun Devils found their shooting touch in the second half, making 59 percent of their shots (16-27), including 75 percent (6-8) of their 3-pointers. ASU got within 13 following Parkinson's layup 42 seconds into the third quarter. After forcing a turnover on the opposite end, ASU had a chance to reduce its deficit even more, but Jackson's pull-up jumper missed its mark.
Jackson's attempt was the first of three straight misses by the Sun Devils. Coupled with the Cowgirls' 8-0 run, ASU was suddenly down by 21 with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Oklahoma State maintained a 20-point lead, 71-51, after Stailee Heard, who scored a game-high 28 points, hit one of her five triples with 7:39 left.
Skinner's 3-pointer at the seven-minute mark was the start of a 20-12 run to close out the game. ASU made six of its last nine shots but was not able to get closer than 12 points.
Brown (16 points/5-9 FGs) and Skinner (14 points/4-5 FGs – all 3-pointers) scored 30 of ASU's 45 points in the second half and combined to shoot 64 percent (9-14).
The Sun Devils return to Desert Financial Arena this Saturday (6:30 p.m. MST) to take on BYU. The contest will be the program's annual Black History Month game presented by Desert Financial Credit Union. Click here to purchase tickets.
With a career- and team-high 11 rebounds, Brown posted her first career double-double to go with a career high-tying five assists. It was also the seventh time in her last 10 games – ninth time this season – that Brown has scored 20 or more points.
For Skinner, who also had a team-high six assists, it was her sixth 20-point effort of the season, her first since a 27-point outing at San Francisco (Dec. 17). Skinner scored 20 or more points four times in ASU's first seven games, including a career-high 30 points in ASU's season opener vs. Jacksonville State (Nov. 4).
The Cowgirls (18-3, 8-2 Big 12) had advantages over the Sun Devils (8-14, 2-8 Big 12) in points off turnovers (19-10) and fast break points (21-11). One statistic that was literally the difference in the game – in terms of point differential – was the number of 3-pointers made by each team: OSU (11), ASU (7).
Although Oklahoma State was only plus-one in rebounds (41-40), it had a 19-13 advantage in second chance points.
Complementing Brown's career night in rebounds were Nevaeh Parkinson and Jazion Jackson who had seven rebounds each. In addition, Kennedy Basham had six blocks for the second time this season – one short of matching her career high – to go with seven points and three rebounds.
Trailing by 15 at halftime, the Sun Devils found their shooting touch in the second half, making 59 percent of their shots (16-27), including 75 percent (6-8) of their 3-pointers. ASU got within 13 following Parkinson's layup 42 seconds into the third quarter. After forcing a turnover on the opposite end, ASU had a chance to reduce its deficit even more, but Jackson's pull-up jumper missed its mark.
Jackson's attempt was the first of three straight misses by the Sun Devils. Coupled with the Cowgirls' 8-0 run, ASU was suddenly down by 21 with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Oklahoma State maintained a 20-point lead, 71-51, after Stailee Heard, who scored a game-high 28 points, hit one of her five triples with 7:39 left.
Skinner's 3-pointer at the seven-minute mark was the start of a 20-12 run to close out the game. ASU made six of its last nine shots but was not able to get closer than 12 points.
Brown (16 points/5-9 FGs) and Skinner (14 points/4-5 FGs – all 3-pointers) scored 30 of ASU's 45 points in the second half and combined to shoot 64 percent (9-14).
The Sun Devils return to Desert Financial Arena this Saturday (6:30 p.m. MST) to take on BYU. The contest will be the program's annual Black History Month game presented by Desert Financial Credit Union. Click here to purchase tickets.