Jaddan Simmons (13 points, seven rebounds, game-high seven assists, game-high five steals) and Isadora Sousa (career-high 12 points, seven rebounds) combined for 25 points for the Sun Devils (8-10, 0-6 Pac-12), who were on relatively even terms with the Cougars in scoring (edged WSU 58-57) over final three quarters after their slow start.
For Simmons, it was the fifth time this season she tied her season high in rebounds. She also came one assist short of tying her career high of eight set last month in ASU’s win over Fresno State and, for the second time this season, came one steal short of matching her career high of six.
The Sun Devils were outscored 22-6 over the first 10 minutes on Friday night. The Cougars (13-5, 2-3), who scored the game’s first 18 points, were opportunistic scoring 11 points off ASU’s eight turnovers and were plus-five in second chance points (6-1).
Down, but far from out, the Sun Devils opened the second stanza with an 8-2 run as Sousa (four points), Brown (two points) and Simmons (two points) helped the Sun Devils jump on WSU with an 8-2 run to start the second quarter and quickly get within 10 points, 24-14.
Later in the quarter, a jumper by Simmons got ASU back within single digits, 30-21. Although the Cougars reclaimed a double-digit lead on their ensuing possession, they led by no more than 13 the remainder of the half. A 3-pointer by Miller once again cut the deficit to 10 before Washington State eventually took a 40-28 lead into the half.
Brown (8 points), Simmons (8 points), Sousa (7 points) and Miller (5 points) accounted for all the points for the Sun Devils, who were forced to go on without Trayanna Crisp after the starting sophomore guard left the game injured in the first quarter.
The Sun Devils did not turn the ball over in the second quarter while forcing five and scoring seven points off those Cougar miscues.
Like they did in second quarter, the Sun Devils opened the third quarter with a brilliant offensive sequence as Sousa and Miller hit consecutive triples to cut Washington State’s lead to eight, 42-34.
With the game’s outcome still hanging in the balance, the Cougars used an 8-1 run to again assume control of the game, 50-35.
ASU refused to surrender as Simmons (four points) and Brown (three points) teamed up to score ASU’s next seven points to again make it a 10-point game, 52-42 with 3:43 remaining.
Unfortunately, the Sun Devils could not sustain the run as WSU ended the quarter scoring nine of the last 11 points to go up 61-44 after three.
Adison Novosel opened the final quarter with a triple to make it a 14-point game. That’s as close as the Sun Devils got the remainder of the way as the Cougars led by as many as 19 on their way to the win.
The Sun Devils conclude their four-game road trip when they play at Washington on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST. The game can be seen on Pac-12 Arizona
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Steve Rodriguez
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