Dec. 5, 1997
SMU Coasts Past Sun Devil Women 74-59
DALLAS--Senior forward Stephanie Freeman (Austin, Texas) paces ASU with 20 points and six steals in a 74-59 loss to Southern Methodist in the nightcap of the inaugural Southwestern Bell/Cotton Bowl Classic Friday at Moody Coliseum.
The Sun Devils, who fall to 1-3, face 1-3 New Mexico State Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST (1:30 p.m. MST) in the consolation game.
Although ASU tied the Mustangs with 42 points in the second half, the Sun Devils started the second stanza with a 32-17 deficit they could not overcome.
"We dug ourselves into an early hole," said ASU Coach Charli turner Thorne. "We played them even in the second half. We came out soft, and this is a recurring thing. Our freshmen played like frewhmen, and that will happen. It's our first road trip, they were a tough team and it was a tough atmosphere. We need to to work on our composure."
The Mustangs (4-1) were led by Karlin Kenedy's 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting. Nici Johnson and Claudia Brassard each grabbed 11 boards to help give SMU a 42-35 edge on the glass. The Mustangs shot 46.3 percent for the game (19-for-58) to ASU's 32.8 percent (19-for-58).
In addition to Freeman, sophomore center Rachel Holt (Buckeye, Ariz.) reached double figures in scoring with a career-high tying 14 points. Freeman was responsible for all three of the Sun Devils' three-point field goals.
"We need to start playing better right away and not wait until the second half," said Holt. We get off to a slow start for some reason, and we're doing it at home, too."