March 19, 2006
The Arizona State women's basketball team (25-6, 14-4 Pac-10) will look to advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and the fourth time in school history when it takes on the University of Utah on Monday night (approximately 7:30 p.m.) at McKale Center on the University of Arizona's campus in Tucson, Ariz.
The Sun Devils advanced to the second round with an 80-61 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. ASU was led by senior F Kristen Kovesdy who posted her seventh double-double performance of the season with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Also posting double figures in points for Arizona State were freshman C Kirsten Thompson (12 points) and junior F Aubree Johnson (10 points). Coming off the bench, senior F Amy Denson scored nine points and grabbed 10 of ASU's 52 rebounds. The 52 rebounds not only doubled Stephen F. Austin's rebound output for the game (52-26), but it also set a new school record for the most rebounds by the Sun Devils in an NCAA Tournament game. As a team, the Sun Devils shot 49.3 percent while limiting the Ladyjacks to only 38.8 percent.
This will be the ninth ever meeting between the Utes and the Sun Devils, however the first since the 1988 season. The Utes lead the all-time series 5-3.
Champions of the Mountain West Conference, the Utes (25-6, 12-4 MWC) come into Monday night's game on a five-game winning streak. They advanced to the second round after using a come-from-behind effort to defeat Middle Tennessee 76-71 on Saturday. Utah trailed by as many as 15 in the second half before staging its comeback.
TV: ESPN2 will be televising Arizona State's NCAA Tournament contest against Utah. Ron Franklin (play by play) and Fran Fraschilla (analysis) will call the action with Alex Flanagan reporting from courtside.
RADIO: Monday's ASU-Utah contest can be heard live both on KDUS 1060 AM and on the Internet (SunDevilSportsNetwork.com). Coverage will begin with "Countdown to Tip-Off" at 7 p.m. Jeff Munn is in his second year as the voice of ASU women's basketball. He will be joined on the broadcast by Seth Sulka, General Manager of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
ASU AT THE NCAA TOURNAMENT This is ASU's seventh all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and its fourth in the last six seasons. ASU's is making back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history (1982-83 and 2001-02). ASU's No. 4 seed ties its highest ever placement in the NCAA Tournament. ASU was a No. 4 seed in 1982 and 1983. One of ASU's six NCAA Tournament victories was a 78-62 win over Utah in the first round of the 1983 NCAA Tournament. As a No. 5 seed last season, the Sun Devils advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 22 years before falling to North Carolina, 79-72. ASU's overall record in the NCAA Tournament is 6-6, including a 4-3 record under head coach Charli Turner Thorne. ASU has reached the Sweet Sixteen on three occasions (1982, 1983 and 2005). In both 1982 and 1983, the fourth-seeded Sun Devils lost to the eventual national champion in the round of 16, falling to Louisiana Tech in 1982 and USC in 1983. ASU's first NCAA appearance in the Turner Thorne era came in 2001. As the No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region, the Sun Devils fell to No. 6 seeded LSU in the first round, 83-66. Turner Thorne earned her first victory in the NCAA Tournament the following year after the No. 9-seeded Sun Devils defeated No. 8 seeded Wisconsin in the first round of the Midwest sub-regional, 73-70. ASU would fall to top-seeded Vanderbilt in the second round, 61-35. ASU's run to the Sweet Sixteen last season began with an 87-65 victory over No. 12 seeded Eastern Kentucky at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. The Sun Devils then advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after upsetting No. 5 seeded Notre Dame, 70-61. In that game, the Sun Devils overcame a 13-point first half deficit. In the Sweet Sixteen against UNC, the Sun Devils led by as many as 10 points in the first half and were within two points, 60-62, with 9:29 remaining in the game before the Tar Heels closed out the game with a 17-12 run.
ASU HEAD COACH Charli Turner Thorne: The winningest coach in Sun Devil history (172-128) and No. 6 in the Pac-10 in most career wins, Turner Thorne has led the Sun Devils to a school record seven consecutive post season appearances (NCAA Tournament in 2001-02 and 2005, WNIT in 2000, 2003-04) ... During the second half of this season led ASU on a school record 10-game winning streak after leading the Sun Devils to a school record-tying nine-game winning streak earlier this season (also led ASU to its first Top 10 ranking in 22 years and tied the highest ranking in school history -- No. 9 -- earlier this season) ... In the last two seasons (2004-05, 2005-06), has led ASU to a 14-2 record when coming off a loss ... Last season, guided ASU to a 24-10 overall record and its first NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance in 22 years ... Led her 2001-02 team to a 25-9 record, tying the ASU record for wins in a single season ... Guided ASU to a share of the Pac-10 title in 2001 and the inaugural Pac-10 Tournament title in 2002, the first league championships in school history ... Led Northern Arizona University to consecutive winning seasons in 1994-95 and 1995-96, the first coach in school history to accomplish that feat ... As a player, lettered four years at Stanford under Tara VanDerveer ... Graduated from Stanford in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and later earned her master's degree in education from Washington in 1990. Career Record: 212-168
2005-06 ARIZONA STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS Making back-to-back NCAA appearances for the third time (1982-83, 2001-02, 2005-06) in school history. In addition, the Sun Devils are making their fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the past six seasons, which is one more than the number of NCAA appearances they had in the 19 seasons prior to the 2000-01 season.
During the second half of the season, went on a school record 10-game winning streak. Also had a nine-game winning streak earlier this season, which tied the original school record set during the 1982-83 season.
ASU's nine-game winning streak in Pac-10 play the second half of the season set the mark for the longest conference winning streak in school history.
ASU's 14 Pac-10 wins are the most in school history. It comes in a year in which Pac-10 schools received a record six invitations to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to this season the most conference wins the Sun Devils ever had was 12, which happened three times (2000-01, 2001-02 and 2004-05) -- all under current head coach Charli Turner Thorne.
ASU's No. 9 ranking in both the USA Today/ESPN and Associated Press Top 25 polls the first week in January tied the highest ranking in school history and was the first time the Sun Devils were in the top 10 of a major poll in 22 years.
The Sun Devils won a school record 15 games at home and in the process went undefeated on their home floor for the first time in school history. Overall, the Sun Devils have won their last 22 regular season home games going back to the 2003-04 season.
ASU's 7-4 road record was its best mark in such games since the 2000-01 season when it went 7-5.
Had the No. 1 scoring defense in Pac-10 games (59.4 ppg).
With 25 wins this season, the Sun Devils have now won 20 or more games four times in the last six seasons.
ASU's 49 wins the last two seasons (2004-05 & 2005-06) is the best two-season mark in school history. The mark eclipses that of the 1981-82 & 1982-83 squads which combined to win 48 games.
ASU's 67-61 win at Washington (Jan. 28) represented its first win against the Huskies in Seattle since the 1995-96 season.
Currently with 25 victories, the Sun Devils need two more wins to set the single-season school record for wins. The Sun Devils won 25 games in 1981-82 and again in 2001-02.
DID YOU KNOW? Arizona State is one of three schools (North Carolina and LSU are the other two) in the Top 20 of the major polls who have not lost by double-digits this season.
In its six losses this season, ASU's average margin of defeat has been 5.3 points, including a two-point loss at California (64-66) and a one-point loss vs. UCLA (59-60) in the semifinals of the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament.
TURNER THORNE NAMED WBCA REGION 8 COACH OF THE YEAR Charli Turner Thorne was named the Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 8 Coach of the Year, according to an announcement last week by the WBCA.
The winners are selected through a two-level process. The first level is by region, in which coaches from each WBCA geographical region vote for their respective top coach. If a coach has been selected as Regional Coach of the Year, they advance as a finalist to the national level of the selection process along with the other Regional Coaches of the Year in their respective division. The number of coaches varies depending on affiliation.
Despite losing seven players - including the starting backcourt - from last year's team which made it to the Sweet Sixteen and with the addition of six freshmen, Turner Thorne led the Sun Devils to a regular season record of 24-6, including a school record 14 Pac-10 victories. The 14 conference victories came in a season in which the Pac-10 received an unprecedented six invitations to the NCAA Tournament. Earlier this season, the Sun Devils ascended into the Top 10 of a major poll for the first time in 22 years, eventually tying the school's highest ever ranking of No. 9 in early January.
During the first half of the season, Turner Thorne led the Sun Devils on a school record-tying nine-game winning streak. In the second half of the season, the Sun Devils would break that record by winning 10 consecutive games. In addition, ASU also went undefeated at home for the first time in school history, winning a school record 15 games on its home floor.
The winners of the WBCA National Coach of the Year for each division will be honored on Tuesday, April 4 at 12 p.m. (ET) during the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA Coach of the Year Luncheon in the Hynes Convention Center Ballroom, which is part of the 2006 WBCA National Convention. This year the WBCA celebrates it's Silver Anniversary, marking 25 years of existence.
HOME SWEET HOME With their 81-45 victory over Arizona on February 25, the Sun Devils extended their regular season home court winning streak to 22 games. This season the Sun Devils set the school record for most home wins while also going undefeated on their home floor for the first time in school history. Since the 2003-04 season, the Sun Devils are 40-2 at Wells Fargo Arena.
TEAM NOTES ASU has out-rebounded the opposition 22 times in 31 games this season. Four times this season ASU has limited its opponent to 21 or fewer rebounds, including only 20 by Stanford (Jan. 21). If the season ended today, the 31.2 rebounds opponents are averaging would be a school record for the fewest rebounds allowed per game (32.2 each of last two seasons). ASU's 52 rebounds against Stephen F. Austin set a new school record for the most rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game. ASU has had fewer turnovers than its opponent 19 times in 31 games this season. The Sun Devils have won 18 of those games. The only exception came in ASU's 66-64 loss at California (Jan. 19). In its six losses, the Sun Devils lost by an average of only 5.3 points. The Sun Devils did not lose any games by double-digit margins (eight points was its biggest margin of defeat, two times vs. USC and vs. UCLA). ASU is averaging 20.1 points off turnovers per game, compared to 15.9 for its opponents. ASU's bench has outscored the opposition's bench 885-403 this season, an average of 28.5-13.0 per game. Four times this season -- vs. Memphis (Dec. 2), vs. Western Kentucky (Dec. 3), vs. UCLA (Feb. 2) and at Oregon State (Feb. 9) -- the Sun Devils have had five players score in double figures. On four other occasions -- vs. North Carolina (Nov. 25), at Arizona (Dec. 22), vs. Arizona (Feb. 25) and vs. Oregon State (Mar. 4) -- four players have scored in double figures. ASU has had the same starting five in all but three games this season: Reagan Pariseau (G), Jill Noe (G), Emily Westerberg (F), Aubree Johnson (F) and Kristen Kovesdy (F/C). The only exceptions came in ASU's 77-69 loss at UCLA (Jan. 8), when freshman G Danielle Orsillo started for Jill Noe (bruised hand); in ASU's 84-78 loss at Stanford (Jan. 21) when Orsillo started for Noe and senior Amy Denson started for Johnson; and in ASU's 62-59 win over Stanford (Feb. 16), when Orsillo started for Noe. In their 31 games the Sun Devils have been led in scoring by eight different players -- Amy Denson, Briann January, Aubree Johnson, Kristen Kovesdy, Jill Noe, Danielle Orsillo, Kirsten Thompson and Emily Westerberg. Westerberg leads the Sun Devils in minutes per game, averaging 26.0. Among players coming off the bench, freshman G Briann January currently leads the Sun Devils in minutes per game (19.2), followed by Amy Denson (18.2).
OFFENSIVE NOTES ASU has shot 50 percent or better 11 times this season, including a season-best .565 (26-46) in its 69-51 win vs. Oregon State (Jan. 14). Senior F Kristen Kovesdy has either led or tied for the team lead in scoring 14 times this season. Kovesdy's 27 points (23 in the second half) vs. Washington (Dec. 29) are the most for a Sun Devil this season. Junior F Emily Westerberg has led or tied for the team lead in scoring seven times this season. She tied her career-best with 26 points in ASU's 79-72 win over USC (Feb. 4). Kovesdy leads the Pac-10 in FG percentage, shooting .604 from the field. Coming off the bench, senior F Amy Denson has led or tied for the team lead in scoring four times this season. ASU has five players who have more than 70 assists -- freshman G Briann January (82), redshirt junior G Jill Noe (77), Westerberg (77), junior F Aubree Johnson (76) and sophomore G Reagan Pariseau (76). Noe leads ASU in three-point FGs with 28. Noe had a career-best 5 three-pointers at Stanford (Jan. 21) and also recorded four three-pointers in back-to-back games earlier this season -- vs. North Carolina (Nov. 25) and vs. Mississippi State (Nov. 26). The Sun Devils have made 20 or more free throws seven times this season, including a season-best 28 made free throws vs. Western Kentucky (Dec. 3) and vs. USC (Feb. 4). ASU has had more assists than its opponent in all but two games this season (vs. North Carolina, Nov. 25, at Washington, Jan. 28). ASU has had more offensive rebounds than its opponent 22 times in 30 games this season.
DEFENSIVE NOTES During Pac-10 play, the Sun Devils ranked No. 1 in fewest points allowed per game (59.4) and No. 1 in opponent three-point FG percentage (29.8 percent). ASU has forced 20 or more turnovers 15 times this season, including a season-high 32 turnovers in its season opening victory vs. Vanderbilt (Nov. 11). The Sun Devils have held their opponents under 40 percent shooting 13 times this season. The Sun Devils have allowed two or fewer three-point field goals 15 times this season and have held their opponents to 25 percent or less shooting from three-point range 12 times this season. Freshman G Briann January leads the team in steals with 44. Freshman C Kirsten Thompson leads the team in blocks with 14.
2005-06 TEAM SUMMARY The Sun Devils began the 2005-06 season 12-1, which marked their best start since the 1982-83 season when they won 14 of their first 15 games. ASU's only loss in its first 13 games was a 79-72 setback to current No. 1 North Carolina at the Caribbean Classic in Cancun, Mexico. The 79-72 score was the same score the two teams battled to eight months earlier when the Tar Heels defeated the Sun Devils in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in Tempe. While displeased with the loss, Sun Devil head coach Charli Turner Thorne found some solace given that her team had not lost ground to the Tar Heels (relatively speaking) despite having "seven new players on the team."
Following the loss to the Tar Heels, the Sun Devils tied a school record by winning their next nine games. Included in the nine-game winning streak was a 73-61 win over (then) No. 18 New Mexico, which had defeated the Sun Devils 61-45 one year earlier in Albuquerque.
During their nine-game winning streak, the Sun Devils ... Outscored their opponents by an average of 20.7 points per game ... Were plus-41 in turnovers ... Shot 48.4 percent from the field ... Made 16 more three-point field goals than their opponents (35-19) ... Averaged 10.2 more rebounds per game than their opponents ... Had more than double the number of their opponents assists (192-93).
Looking for their school record 10th consecutive win, the Sun Devils were denied after falling to the USC Women of Troy 58-50 (Jan. 6). The Sun Devils led USC 48-44 with under five minutes to go, however were out-scored 14-2 the rest of the way. The Sun Devils hit one field goal the final nine minutes of the game. The loss to the Trojans began a 2-4 stretch for the Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils dropped back-to-back games for the first time since the 2003-04 season after falling 77-69 at UCLA (Jan. 8). The difference in the game was a 14-0 run by the Bruins, which helped them take control of the game in the first half. The Sun Devils committed a season-high 28 turnovers, which UCLA turned into 25 points.
ASU ended its two-game slide with a 44-43 win over Oregon. Junior F Emily Westerberg hit the game-winning three-pointer with less than 15 seconds left to give ASU the victory. Westerberg's game-winner was the only shot the Sun Devils hit in the final 11:26 of the game. ASU was able to beat the Ducks despite shooting 25.8 percent in the game, including only 13.9 percent in the second half.
ASU dropped back-to-back games for the second time in 2005-06 after falling to California (66-64) and Stanford (84-78). Against the Golden Bears ASU shot its second-lowest FG percentage of the season (35.7 percent) while California shot 55.3 percent, the second-highest shooting percentage by an ASU opponent in 2005-06. At Stanford, ASU led by as many as 13 in the first half and had a seven-point lead (58-51) with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game before Stanford went on an 11-2 run over a five-plus minute span to take a lead it would never surrender.
During ASU's 2-4 stretch ... ASU shot .406 from the field compared to .442 for the opposition ... The Sun Devils committed more turnovers, averaging 19.3 per game compared to 18.5 for the opposition ... ASU's opponents went to the free throw line with greater frequency, shooting 22 more free throws than the Sun Devils, including 32 attempts by Stanford (Jan. 21) and 30 attempts by UCLA (Jan. 8), the two-highest opponent numbers in that category this season.
Following the loss to Stanford, Sun Devils head coach Charli Turner Thorne made a bold prediction when asked in so many words where her team went after dropping four of its last six games. "We go 9-0," said Turner Thorne, predicting that the Sun Devils would win their final nine Pac-10 games, which included a trip to Washington where the Sun Devils had not won since the 1995-96 season. "We've seen everybody and we know what we can do ... We haven't shown it in the first round (of conference play), but we showed it in the preseason, and we'll be showing it again in the second half (of conference play)."
After the loss to the Cardinal, the Sun Devils would go on to win their next 10 games before losing in the semifinals of the Pac-10 Tournament to UCLA, 60-59. Included in ASU's school record 10-game winning streak was a 67-61 win at Washington, which ended ASU's nine-game losing streak to the Huskies in Seattle; a 62-59 victory over (then) No. 11 Stanford in Tempe; and a 74-66 win over Oregon State in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament in which the Sun Devils had to overcome a 16-point first half deficit.
ASU's school record 10-game winning streak ended with a 60-59 loss to UCLA in the semifinals of the Pac-10 Tournament. ASU committed 26 turnovers, their second-highest number of the season in that category. The only time they had more turnovers was when they had 28 in a 77-69 loss to the Bruins in Los Angeles (Jan. 8).
The Sun Devils defeated Stephen F. Austin 80-61 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Kovesdy led the way with her seventh double-double performance of the season, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. With the victory, ASU tied its single-season record for most victories with 25.
FOUR SUN DEVILS EARN PAC-10 HONORS Four Arizona State University women's basketball players - senior Kristen Kovesdy, junior Emily Westerberg and freshmen Briann January and Danielle Orsillo - were honored by the Pacific 10 Conference earlier this month. Kovesdy and Westerberg were both named to the All-Pac-10 Team while January and Orsillo were named All-Pac-10 Freshman and All-Pac-10 Freshman Honorable Mention, respectively.
For Kovesdy, a 6-3 forward, it marked the first time she has been named to the All-Pac-10 Team after being named Pac-10 Honorable Mention the last two seasons. ASU's all-time career leader in field goal percentage (.572) and currently leading the Pac-10 and ranked No. 9 in the nation in FG pct. (.600), Kovesdy has played a big part in ASU's 24-6 record and second-place regular season finish in the Pac-10, leading the team throughout the season in both scoring (12.5 points per game) and rebounding (6.5 rebounds per game). This season Kovesdy has led or tied for the team lead in scoring 13 times while leading or tying for the team lead in rebounds 15 times. Earlier this season, Kovesdy was named one of 30 finalists for the Bayer Advantage Senior Class Award, which is presented annually to the nation's senior player-of-the-year for NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball.
A 6-0 forward and the team leader in minutes per game (26.4), Westerberg is being named to the All-Pac-10 team for the second consecutive season following another solid campaign in which she finished the regular season second on the team in scoring (11.0 points per game), rebounding (5.1 per game) and assists (75) and third in steals (34). This season Westerberg led or tied for the team lead in scoring seven times and led or tied for the team lead in rebounding 11 times. Earlier this season Westerberg was named the Pac-10's Player of the Week following ASU's 79-72 win over USC in which she led all players and tied her career-best with 26 points on 9-14 shooting, including 2-3 from three-point range, and tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven.
This season January has averaged the most minutes (19.3) of players coming off the bench for the Sun Devils. The team leader in assists (78) and steals (44), January has emerged as one of ASU's top playmakers during the second half of the season. One of January's best efforts of the season came in ASU's 62-59 upset of (then) No. 11 Stanford when she led the team with a career-best 13 points (4-5 FGs) and tied a career best with six assists while also recording four steals. In addition, she also sank four crucial free throws in the final 32 seconds to preserve ASU's victory.
The only of ASU's six freshman to start this season (at Stanford, Jan. 21 and vs. Stanford, Feb. 16), Orsillo finished the regular season as the Sun Devils' leader in free throw percentage (81.3 percent, 52-64). Five times this season, Orsillo posted double figures in points, including a career-best 16 points on 6-11 shooting in only 18 minutes of play in ASU's 73-61 victory over (then) No. 18 New Mexico (Dec. 6). She also scored 15 points (4-7 FGs, 6-8 FTs) in ASU's 74-66 come-from-behind win over Oregon State in the Pac-10 Tournament's quarterfinals (Mar. 4).
KOVESDY CLIMBS THE CHARTS With 22 points in ASU's 80-61 victory over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, senior F Kristen Kovesdy continued to move closer to moving up another spot on ASU's all-time scoring list. Currently with 1,352 career points, Kovesdy needs 19 more points to move past former Sun Devil Sherry Poole (1,370 points, 1984-87) for the No. 4 spot on ASU's all-time scoring list.
Kovesdy is also among ASU's all-time leaders in the rebounding department. With 655 career rebounds Kovesdy currently sits No. 5 on ASU's all-time rebounding list. She needs two more rebounds to pass former Sun Devil Jovonne Smith (656 rebounds, 1984-86) for No. 4 on ASU's all-time rebounding list.
THE `B' (AS IN BENCH) SQUAD There are not too many schools in the country that can boast a bench similar to the one Charli Turner Thorne has in Tempe. Beyond the starting five of G Reagan Pariseau, G Jill Noe, F Kristen Kovesdy, F Emily Westerberg and F Aubree Johnson, the Sun Devils have four other players -- G Briann January, F Amy Denson, G Danielle Orsillo and C Kristen Thompson -- who average 10 or more minutes per game and a fifth -- G YoVanna Rosenthal -- who averages 8.6 minutes per game. In fact, during ASU's earlier 10-game winning streak, the Sun Devils had 10 players (the aforementioned nine + Rosenthal), who averaged 10 or more minutes per game. And how productive is this bench? During the 10-game winning streak, the bench scored an average of 34.0 points (starters 38.6 ppg) while shooting 45.1 percent from the field (starters 45.3 percent) and 71.6 percent (78-109) from the free throw line (starters 72.1 percent, 80-111). Leading the way on the bench during the 10-game winning streak was Denson, who averaged 9.8 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field. One player who made the most of her time on the floor during ASU's winning streak was Rosenthal. During ASU's winning streak Rosenthal averaged 12.8 minutes per game (prior to winning streak averaged 6.2 minutes per game) and shot 42.9 percent from three-point range (9-21) while also leading the team in steals with 14.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR CHARLI? Arizona State head coach Charli Turner Thorne added another great accomplishment to her coaching dossier earlier this season when it was revealed that ASU was ranked No. 10 in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll (ASU would eventually ascend to No. 9, which tied its highest ever ranking). For the Sun Devils it was their first appearance in the top 10 of a major poll in 22 years. If the figure `22 years' sounds familiar it's because last season Turner Thorne led the Sun Devils to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 22 years.
Turner Thorne was recognized for the job she has done with ASU earlier this month when she was named the Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 8 Coach of the Year.
Currently in the midst of her 10th season in Tempe, Turner Thorne has more than established the Sun Devils as one of the teams to watch on an annual basis not only in the Pac-10 Conference, but also across the country. In fact, since the 2000-01 season, the Sun Devils have won the second-highest number of overall games (127) in the Pac-10 Conference. Turner Thorne is currently No. 6 among Pac-10 coaches in all-time victories with 172.
With their 80-61 win over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Sun Devils tied the school single-season record for most wins in a season with 25. Couple with last season's 24 wins, ASU's 49 wins the last two seasons are the most wins the school has ever had in a two-year stretch.
2005-06 Arizona State Women's Basketball Mini Bios
#2 Reagan Pariseau G 5-5 So./1V Spokane, Wash. A starter in every game in 2005, is currently averaging 4.8 points per game. Has had one or zero turnovers 17 times this season (31 games). Is one of five players on the team who has more than 70 assists (76). Is second on the team in both three-point FGs (22) and steals (37). Scored a season-best 11 points and also had four rebounds in ASU's 77-67 win at Oregon State (Feb. 9). Tallied 10 points (3-6 shooting, including 2-3 from three-point range) in ASU's 87-70 win over UCLA (Feb. 2). Scored 10 points (all in the second half) at Arizona (Dec. 22). Dished out a career-best eight assists with only one turnover and scored five points in ASU's 73-61 win over (then) No. 18 New Mexico (Dec. 6). Played in all 34 games with one start as a freshman. One of four players on the roster from the state of Washington, Pariseau was a high school teammate of current Sun Devil F Emily Westerberg.
#4 Emily Westerberg F 6-0 Jr./2V Greenacres, Wash. Was named to the 2006 All-Pac-10 Team, the second consecutive year she earned the honor. Is currently second on the team to senior F Kristen Kovesdy in both scoring (10.8 points per game) and rebounding (5.1 per game). Is also one of five players on the team who has more than 70 assists (77) and is tied for third on the team in steals with 34. Needs nine more points to reach 900 for her career. Has averaged 10.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in four career NCAA Tournament games. The team leader in average minutes per game (26.0), has led or tied for the team lead in scoring seven times this season and has led or tied for the team lead in rebounding 11 times this season. In the final two minutes of games this season, is 87.5 percent from the foul line (14-16). Averaged 11.5 points (.563 FG pct.) and 5.5 rebounds in ASU's two games at the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament. Was one of five players in double figures, narrowly missing her second double-double of the season (12 points, 9 rebounds), in ASU's 77-67 win at Oregon State (Feb. 9). Earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors following ASU's 79-72 win over USC (Feb. 4). Against the Women of Troy, Westerberg led all players and tied her career-best with 26 points on 9-14 shooting, including 2-3 from three-point range, and tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven. Led ASU with a season-best 20 points on 7-11 shooting and tied her career-best with three 3-point field goals (3-5) in ASU's 84-78 loss at Stanford (Jan. 21). Hit game-winning 3-point FG with under 15 seconds left in ASU's 44-43 win over Oregon (Jan. 12). Scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in ASU's 78-64 win over UT-San Antonio (Dec. 19). Was named to the WBCA/BTI Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 15.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in ASU's season opening wins against Vanderbilt (Nov. 11) and Missouri (Nov. 12). Last season became the second sophomore (Kym Hampton) in school history to earn first-team All-Pac-10 honors. One of four players on the roster from the state of Washington, Westerberg was a high school teammate of current Sun Devil G Reagan Pariseau. Is engaged to former Sun Devil OL Grayling Love. Love completed his eligibility with the Sun Devils this past fall and is currently preparing for the 2006 NFL Draft. The two were engaged this past December.
#10 Lavinia Fanaika G 5-8 Fr./HS Millbrae, Calif. Has played in seven games this season (vs. Memphis Dec. 2; at Arizona Dec. 22; vs. Oregon State Jan. 14; vs. UCLA Feb. 2; California, Feb. 18; vs. Arizona, Feb. 25 and vs. Stephen F. Austin, Mar. 18). Made her first collegiate basket in ASU's 81-45 win vs. Arizona (Feb. 25).
#11 Kate Engelbrecht G 5-10 Fr./HS Tucson, Ariz. Has appeared in all but four games (at California, Jan. 19; vs. Stanford, Feb. 16; vs. Oregon State, Mar. 4; and vs. UCLA, Mar. 5) this season, averaging 5.8 minutes per game. Is currently shooting 64.0 percent from the field (16-25). Made all five of her shots and had a career-high 11 points vs. Memphis (Dec. 2). Made all five of her shots and scored 10 points at Arizona (Dec. 22).
#13 Danielle Orsillo G 5-9 Fr./HS Oroville, Calif. Was named to the Pac-10's 2006 Freshman Honorable Mention team. Is currently first on the team in free throw shooting percentage (52-64, 81.3 percent). Has scored in double figures five times this season. Averaged 12.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in ASU's two games at the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament. Recorded the second-highest point total of her career with 15 points (4-7 FGs, 6-8 FTs) in ASU's 74-66 win over Oregon State in the Pac-10 Tournament's quarterfinals (Mar. 4). Scored 10 points (3-5 FGs, 3-4 FTs) and had a career-best seven assists in ASU's 87-70 victory vs. UCLA (Feb. 2). Made a career-best three 3-pointers and tied for the team lead with 13 points in ASU's 75-65 win at Washington State (Jan. 26). Tallied 14 points in 24 minutes in ASU's 66-64 loss at California (Jan. 19). Is the only freshman to have started for the Sun Devils this season (at UCLA on Jan. 8; at Stanford on Jan. 21 and vs. Stanford on Feb. 16). Scored a career-best 16 points (6-11 shooting) in only 18 minutes in ASU's 73-61 victory over (then) No. 18 New Mexico (Dec. 6). Had ASU's only four-point play of the 2005-06 season at Stanford (Jan. 21). A 2005 graduate of Las Plumas High School in Oroville, Calif., finished her high school career third (3,340 points) on the state of California's all-time scoring list behind Charde Houston and Cheryl Miller. Both of her parents (Steve and Vicki) are pastors. Has played the guitar since she was seven years old.
#15 Cristina Lopez F 6-0 Fr./HS Villa Park, Calif. Has appeared in 15 games this season as she recovers from major shoulder surgery she had last year. Made her first collegiate field goal in ASU's 73-61 win over (then) No. 18 New Mexico (Dec. 6). For the season, has scored two points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out three assists and made one steal.
#20 Briann January G 5-8 Fr./HS Spokane, Wash. Was named to the Pac-10's 2006 All-Freshman Team. The team leader in steals (44) and assists (82), is currently averaging the most minutes (19.2) of players coming off the bench. Is No. 2 on the team in free throw shooting pct (79.1 pct on 68-86 FTs). Turned in outstanding effort in ASU's 62-59 upset of (then) No. 11 Stanford (Feb. 16). Led the team with a career-best 13 points (4-5 FGs) and tied a career best with six assists while also recording four steals. In addition, she also drew two charges on Stanford All-American Candice Wiggins and sank four crucial free throws in the final 32 seconds to preserve ASU's victory. Led ASU in scoring with a (then) career-best 12 points in ASU's 72-47 victory over Washington St. (Dec. 31). Had a career-best six assists with no turnovers at Washington State (Jan. 26). One of four players on the roster from the state of Washington, January was an AAU teammate of current Sun Devil G Reagan Pariseau. Holds a black belt in karate. Her father (Barry) is a karate instructor.
#22 Jill Noe G 5-10 RS-Jr./1V Tualatin, Ore. A member of the All-Pac-10 freshman team in 2002-03, Noe returned to the starting line-up this year after missing the last two seasons because of ACL injuries incurred before the start of the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. A starter in 28 of 31 games, is currently third on the team in scoring, averaging 8.0 points per game. Is also tied for second on the team in assists (77) and tied for third on the team in steals (34). Has led or tied for the team lead in scoring four times and is the team's leader in three-point field goals (28). Has scored in double figures eight times this season. Dropped in 10 points (4-7 FGs) in ASU's 77-67 win at Oregon State (Feb. 9). Scored 19 points and drained a career-best five 3-point FGs in ASU's 84-78 loss at Stanford (Jan. 21). Had a season-best 20 points on 8-15 shooting, including 4-5 from three-point range in ASU's 79-72 loss vs. North Carolina (Nov. 25). During earlier three-game stretch (vs. North Carolina, vs. Mississippi State and vs. Memphis), averaged 18.0 points per game and was 18-30 from the field, including 10-14 from three-point range.
#23 Kirsten Thompson C 6-6 Fr./HS Monroe, Wash. Is currently shooting 50.4 percent from the field (67-133). Has scored in double figures five times this season. The team leader with 14 blocked shots, tallied a team single-game best four blocked shots vs. Memphis (Dec. 2). Scored 12 points on 6-13 shooting in ASU's 80-61 win over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (Mar. 18). Dropped in 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out a career-best three assists in only 11 minutes of play in ASU's 81-45 win over Arizona (Feb. 25). Scored 10 points (4-5 shooting, 2-2 FTs) in ASU's 77-67 win at Oregon State (Feb. 9). Led ASU in scoring with a career-best 15 points while also recording career-best numbers in rebounds (8) and minutes played (19) in ASU's 69-51 win over Oregon St. (Jan. 14). Scored 10 points (3-5 FG, 4-6 FT) in ASU's 87-70 win over UCLA (Feb. 2). Was 4-5 from the field and scored eight points in ASU's 58-50 loss at USC (Jan. 6). One of four players on the roster from the state of Washington, Thompson was the first girls basketball player from the state to be named a McDonald's All-American. Career aspiration is to be a film director.
#32 Aubree Johnson F 6-2 Jr./2V Post Falls, Id. A starter in all but one game (at Stanford, Jan. 21) this season, is currently averaging 23.6 minutes, 6.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Has averaged 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in four career NCAA Tournament games. Scored 10 points (3-3 FGs) and had four rebounds and three assists in ASU's 80-61 win over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (Mar. 18). Has led or tied for the team lead in rebounding five times this season. Is one of five players on the team with more than 70 assists (76). Averaged 9.0 points on 8-11 shooting (.727) and a team leading 6.0 rebounds per game in ASU's two contests at the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament. Scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out five assists with no turnovers in ASU's 74-66 win over Oregon State in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament (Mar. 4). Was ASU's second leading scorer with 10 points and tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven in ASU's 62-59 upset of (then) No. 11 Stanford (Feb. 16). Tied for the team lead with 10 points to go along with four rebounds in ASU's 62-52 win at Oregon (Feb. 12). Had a season-best 11 points in ASU's victory over Memphis (Dec. 3) and again in ASU's 77-69 loss at UCLA (Jan. 8). Pulled down a season-best 11 rebounds in ASU's 44-43 win over Oregon (Jan. 12). Took the last of her six offensive rebounds and found teammate Emily Westerberg, who hit the game-winning three with under 15 seconds left. Scored 10 points and had a season-best six assists in ASU's 79-72 loss vs. (then) No. 8 North Carolina (Nov. 25). Has won the team's academic award each of the last two seasons (was a co-winner last season).
#33 Amy Denson F 6-1 Sr./3V Central Point, Ore. Has appeared in every game (one start) and is currently averaging 18.2 minutes per game (7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg). During ASU's recent 10-game winning streak averaged 9.8 points (50.0 FG pct) and 4.4 rebounds per game. Helped jump-start the winning streak by averaging 14.5 points per game in the first four games the winning streak. Had led or tied for the team lead in scoring four times this season and has led or tied for the team lead in rebounding five times. Has scored in double figures nine times this season. Strong effort produced nine points, 10 rebounds and two assists in ASU's 80-61 win over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Scored 15 of her 16 points and had five of her six rebounds in the second half of ASU's 79-72 win over USC (Feb. 4). Scored a game-high 18 points on 6-8 shooting in ASU's 67-61 victory at Washington (Jan. 28). Had 12 of her points in the second half, including six of ASU's final eight points to help break open what was a one-point game (59-58 ASU) with under three minutes remaining. Recorded the third double-double of her career with a career-best 19 points and season-best 11 rebounds in ASU's 66-64 loss at California (Jan. 19). Tied for the team lead with 13 points on 6-9 shooting in ASU's 75-65 win at Washington State (Jan. 26). Was named the MVP of the Wells Fargo Holiday Classic after averaging 15 points and 6.5 rebounds in ASU's victories over Memphis and Western Kentucky. Tied her (then) career best with 18 points in ASU's 78-64 win vs. Western Kentucky (Dec. 3). Made only start of the season at Stanford (Jan. 21).
#34 YoVanna Rosenthal G 5-7 Sr./3V Phoenix, Ariz. Has appeared in all but one game (vs. Oregon, Jan. 12) this season, averaging 9.0 minutes per game. Averaged 12.8 minutes per game during ASU's recent 10-game winning streak (prior to 10-game stretch averaged 6.2 minutes per game). During ASU's 10-game winning streak shot 42.9 from three-point range (9-21) and also led the team in steals with 14 During earlier three-game stretch (at Wash. St., at Wash. and vs. UCLA), averaged 7.3 points while shooting 58.3 percent from the field, including 62.5 percent from three-point range (5-8). Played 20 minutes, the second most in her career, and tied her season best with eight points to go along with four rebounds and four assists in ASU's 80-61 win over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Scored six points and had two steals and two assists in 62-52 win at Oregon (Feb. 12). Had a season-best eight points for the second consecutive game in ASU's 87-70 victory over UCLA (Feb. 2). Turned in her best performance of the season at Washington (Jan. 28), scoring a season-best eight points, including 2-2 from three-point range. Also added one rebound, one steal and one momentum changing block in which she chased down Husky G Emily Florence, who had clear path to the basket after a steal, and knocked away what was an all-but-certain two points for Washington that would have tied the game at 57-57 with 4:15 left in regulation. ASU would outscore the Huskies 10-6 the rest of the way to seal its 67-61 victory, the Sun Devils' first victory in Seattle since the 1995-96 season. Scored seven points to go along with three assists in ASU's victory over Memphis (Dec. 2). Scored six points in ASU's 75-65 win at Washington State (Jan. 26). One of three players on the roster (Kate Engelbrecht, Kristen Kovesdy) from Arizona.
#54 Kristen Kovesdy F 6-3 Sr./3V Scottsdale, Ariz. Was named to the 2006 All-Pac-10 Team. Was named to the Pac-10 Tournament's All-Tournament Team after averaging 16.0 points and three rebounds while making 67 percent of her field goals (12-18) and 80 percent of her free throws (8-10) during ASU's two-game tourney run. ASU's all-time leader in FG pct. (.572), is currently first in the Pac-10 FG pct. (.604) and leads ASU in both scoring (12.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg). Has averaged 15.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in four career NCAA Tournament games. Has led or tied for the team lead in scoring 14 times and has led or tied for the team lead in rebounding 16 times. Is currently No. 5 on ASU's all-time scoring list with 1,352 points. Needs 19 points to pass former Sun Devil Sherry Poole (1,370 points, 1984-87) for No. 4 on ASU's all-time scoring list. With 655 career rebounds Kovesdy currently sits No. 5 on ASU's all-time rebounding list. She needs 11 more rebounds to pass former Sun Devil Jovonne Smith (656 rebounds, 1984-86) for No. 4 on ASU's all-time rebounding list. Had her seventh double-double of the season (22 points and 11 rebounds) in ASU's 80-61 win over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Led ASU with 18 points (6-9 FGs, 8-8 FTs) in 60-59 loss to UCLA in the semfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament (Mar. 5). Scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half in ASU's 74-66 come-from-behind win over Oregon State in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament (Mar. 4). The Sun Devils trailed the Beavers by as many as 16. Tallied her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds in ASU's 81-45 win over Arizona (Feb. 25). Paced the Sun Devils with 14 points (7-13 FGs) in ASU's 77-67 win at Oregon State (Feb. 9). Led ASU with 18 points (9-15 FGs) and five rebounds in ASU's 87-70 win over UCLA (Feb. 2). Posted her fifth double-double of the season with 16 points (7-8 FGs) and 10 rebounds in ASU's 84-78 loss at Stanford (Jan. 21). It marked her third double-double in a five-game span. Recorded her second consecutive and fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds in ASU's 44-43 win over Oregon (Jan. 12). Notched her third double-double of the season (12 points and 10 rebounds) in ASU's 77-69 loss at UCLA (Jan. 8). Carried the Sun Devils to a victory vs. Washington (Dec. 29), scoring 23 of her season-best 27 points in the second half to go along with 10 rebounds which gave her her second double-double in 2005-06. Was named the MVP of the season-opening WBCA/BTI Classic after averaging 15.0 points on 63.2 percent shooting and 7.0 rebounds in ASU's victories over No. 16 Vanderbilt (Nov. 11) and Missouri (Nov. 12). Was named to the All-Tournament team of the Wells Fargo Holiday Classic after averaging 14 points and 11.5 rebounds in ASU wins over Memphis (Dec. 2) and Western Kentucky (Dec. 3). One of 30 finalists for the Bayer Advantage Senior Class Award, which is presented annually to the nation's senior player-of-the-year for NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball.