Dec. 21, 1997
No. 23 Auburn Defeats ASU in Wells Fargo Classic
TEMPE, Ariz. - Sophomore center Conswella Sparrow scored a game-high 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting) to lead No. 23 Auburn (8-1) to a 56-52 victory over Arizona State Sunday at the University Activity Center (3-5) in the championship game of the Wells Fargo Classic.
Sophomore guard Tiffany Krantz added 12 points for Auburn, and Tiger center Krisztina Bernath tied a career-high with three blocks.
For the Sun Devils, who were making their fourth appearance in their tournament's championship game in four years, sophomore center Rachel Holt (Buckeye, Ariz.) scored 10 points (on 4-of-8 shooting) and recorded seven rebounds. Junior guard Rechelle Lang (TeKuiti, New Zealand) also scored 10 points (on 4-of-9 shooting) for ASU.
Auburn's 56 points are the second lowest they have scored on the season.
The contest was evenly matched in the beginning of the first half. ASU trailed until junior guard Michelle Tom (Winslow, Ariz.) hit a shot from the perimeter to tie the game at eight points apiece. The battle continued, and Auburn led by only one point (26-25) going into the break.
The Tigers came out fired up in the second half, and pulled ahead 34-27. However, the Sun Devils came within one point (37-36) on a three-pointer by sophomore Kristine Sand (Oslo, Norway) at the 11:21-mark. ASU could not overcome the deficit, and Auburn went on a 6-0 run late in the half to take a nine-point lead, their biggest of the game.
Senior Stephanie Freeman (Austin, Texas) scored a three-pointer to bring the Sun Devils within three, but Auburn held ASU and scored one more point to bring their margin of victory to four points.
Auburn had 22 turnovers compared to ASU's 15. The Tigers recorded 38 rebounds, and ASU brought down 36 boards.
The Sun Devils are back in action Monday, Dec. 29, when they take on Oklahoma at 7 p.m. in the University Activity Center.
1997 ASU Wells Fargo Classic
All-Tournament Team
F-Conswella Sparrow, AuburnF-Kisha White, Arizona State
C-Rachel Holt, Arizona State
G-Justine Agbatan, Auburn
G-LaTonia Beale, UNC Wilmington
1997 ASU Wells Fargo Classic MVP:
Conswella Sparrow, Auburn