Jan. 31, 1998
Arizona State Women Defeat California, 75-54
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Four Arizona State players reached double-digits in points to lead the Sun Devils (8-10, 4-5 Pac-10) to a 75-54 victory over California (5-14, 1-8) Saturday night at the University Activity Center
Leading the way for ASU were senior forward Stephanie Freeman and sophomore center Rachel Holt who topped all scorers with 15 points each. Freeman also had four steals, and Holt had a career-high three steals.
Sun Devil sophomore forward Kristine Sand scored a season-high 13 points, and junior guard Michelle Tom added 10 points for ASU.
California was led by sophomore Paige Bowie, who had 10 points and eight rebounds. Junior center Jennie Leander pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds for Cal.
The Golden Bears scored the first two points of the game, but ASU answered with four of its own. The Sun Devils never trailed after the opening basket by Cal. ASU had a 41-22 advantage going into the break, which it capped with a 12-2 run that started at the end of the first half and continued into the second.
ASU did not lead by less than 10 throughout the entire second half. The Sun Devils' biggest lead was 28 after Freeman hit a free throw with 5:25 left in the game.
California outrebounded ASU 49-41, but the Sun Devils had 23 turnovers compared to the Bears' 26. Both teams recorded 14 steals, but ASU had five blocks while Cal had one.
The Sun Devils' 21-point margin of victory is the largest over Cal. This is also the first time that ASU has notched at least four conference wins since the 1995-96 season, and the second time since the 1992-93 season.
The Sun Devils are back in action on Thursday, February 5, when they head to Washington State to take on the Cougars. ASU will be back at home Thursday, February 19, to finish out the two-game series with Oregon at 7 p.m. at the University Activity Center.