May 19, 2007
Lake Como, Game 1
The Arizona State women's basketball team opened up its four-game tour of Italy on Saturday with an 88-56 win over Pentamedia Carugate.
Four ASU players scored in double figures led by guard Reagan Pariseau, who tallied 14 points on 5-8 shooting to go along with four assists and six steals. Other ASU players scoring in double figures included center Kirsten Thompson (12 points) and guard Jill Noe and forward Kayli Murphy, who both added 10 points. Noe also tied for the team lead in rebounds with six.
Saturday's game included the participation of juniors Sybil Dosty and Lauren Lacey, who both had to sit out the 2006-07 season after transferring from the University of Tennessee and the University of Minnesota, respectively. Both players had solid outings, scoring nine points each. Lacey tied with Noe for the team lead in rebounds with six, while Dosty added five.
For the game, ASU shot 48.8 percent, while limiting Pentamedia Carugate to only 35.7 percent from the field. The Sun Devils also controlled the boards (39-26), including a 15-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Dosty and Lacey both had three offensive rebounds to tie for the team lead.
The Sun Devils were never really threatened in the game, which was played using international rules (changes from the NCAA rules included playing four 10-minute quarters instead of two 20-minute halves). ASU led by 18 after one quarter (30-12) and increased its lead to 28 points at the half (54-26).
The Sun Devils' next game is on Monday.
The game capped off a busy day for the team, which began with a tour of Lake Como. The two-plus hour trip showcased many breathtaking sites and included a brief stop in Bellagio where the team took some time to shop and dine. Later in the day the team turned its attention to festivities surrounding the aforementioned first game against Pentamedia Carugate.
Below are thoughts from Sun Devil players on the day's events ...
Ciao!
I just woke up from the best nap ever! I am still trying to get used to this time change. This morning I was awoken to a pillow thrown at my face by my roommate, Dymond Simon. It was quite refreshing :)
We headed to a quick breakfast then we had an amazing tour of Lake Como. My highlight of the tour was when we got to see George Clooney's villa on the water. It was beautiful. After that we were able to get up and walk around a bit. Reagan and I were more interested in the food than in the shops so we had a quick lunch, got back on the boated and headed back to Como.
Today I had my first run-in with an over touchy local. It was interesting to say the least. Bri thought it was so funny that she took a picture with him.
Overall I am really enjoying myself. My parents decided to come to Italy also so it's great being able to experience it with them. Well, it's time for me to sign off, I have my first basketball game in a Sun Devil uniform. Can't wait!
Ciao!
Lauren
We woke up early to go on a boat tour to a different part of Lake Como, Bellagio, just like the hotel in Vegas (the hotel is named after this small town). The boat ride was fun, although I felt a bit `sea sick.'
The only thing I bought at Bellagio was gelato, which I have been eating a lot of. I think it is one of my favorite things about Italy. After the boat tour a few of us went to a market in Como that they have every Saturday. I didn't buy anything, but there were plenty of soccer jerseys and t-shirts to purchase.
We then got ready for our game, traveling to the mall for our pregame meal. It think we got lost about three times on our way over there. It seemed like it took forever :) Pregame in the mall was really good. We were surprised to see that even the mall food was fresh. The mall was really small by our standards, but our guide, Sara, informed us that it was a big mall for them.
I was really excited for the game, my first one in a year so I was a little jittery. It was fun to finally play in a game, especially because we won! The gym was really hot, but the girls were nice and we all traded jerseys after the game. Afterwards we are pizza and didn't get to bed until late. Tomorrow we are on our way to Florence.
Ciao!
Sybil