(Tempe, AZ) ASU had unusual back to back games this Holiday Weekend. First off, Molly Miller’s team (6-0) faced Arkansas-Little Rock and then turn around in 32 hours and face Southeast Missouri State in Deseret Financial Arena. An early 10:30 a.m. start started it all off.
The Sun Devils 6-0 is the best start since the early 1990’s. Molly Miller has been remarkable in that she’s taken a squad that only had two returning starter from last year and gotten them to buy into the program and her system. Arizona State looked to keep its perfect record at home.
The UALR Trojans from the Sun Belt Conference, had one lone win so far winning their first game against Central Baptist 99-41 and got blown out by in state Arkansas Razorbacks 96-57 back on November 20th.
First Quarter
Devils got on the board first with a second chance basket from Heloisa Carrera.
UALR started off 0nly 1-4 from the free throw line but had the lead 3-2 at the six minute mark. The Trojans took the ball into the lane instead of settling for the outside jumper and ASU bailed them out with fouls late into the shot clock.
The scoring drought for the Devils of nearly 4 minutes as they scored only their second basket to draw within one point 5-4.
At 2:28, Arizona State regained the lead off a Carreras layup 6-5. Things started to speed up as the Sun Devils began to push the ball.
Other than the last game on Tuesday, Miller’s team has started slow in the opening quarter.
Arkansas-Little Rock got a driving layup at the buzzer to pull within one 10-9.
ASU was 5-12 (42%) while holding Little Rock to only 3-8 (38%), but the Trojans hit 3-6 from the line after starting of slow.
Second Quarter
After starting the quarter with a 15-0 run, Miller also implemented her three quarter court trap that turned up the defensive pressure.
UALR finally scored a three pointer at the 5:40 point of the quarter. After they got a shot clock violation, Coach Steve Wiedower needed to regroup his troops and called a timeout down 25-12 with 4:45 left til halftime.
Carrera was injured when she knocked knees with a Trojan defender.
The Sun Devils began to extend their defense in the half court that confused Arkansas-Little Rock and made them throw up prayers as the shot clock was about to expire.
Arziona State totally dominated the quarter with a 23-5 points edge. The Trojans only had a three pointer and two free throws. The defensive effort was the key to the quarter and a 33-14 lead.
Halftime
Arkansas-Little Rock didn’t know what hit them in the second quarter. After gaining confidence by hanging with the Sun Devils only trailing by one 10-9, they had difficulty driving the ball as they did to open up the game.
ASU’s bench scoring was also key adding 16 pointes and high percentage shots in the paint added 20 points. The defense forced 15 first half turnovers that translated to 10 fast break points.
Marley Washenitz was a perfect 3-3 from the field including a big three pointer to start the scoring binge for Arizona State. Amaya Willams led the team with 12 first half points.
ASU shot 56% (14-25) from the field while limiting the Trojans 4-17 and 24%.
Third Quarter
UALR came out shooting much better than in the first half and at the 3:24 timeout, they had outscored the Devils 12-9, but it was still long journey to get back into this game.
With two minutes left, Miller returned to the trapping defense and it paid dividends immediately with a couple of turnovers. Even the in-bounds defense was tough as the Trojans had a difficult time getting the ball into play. Turnovers saw Little Rock cough up the ball 18 times.
ASU led 47-26 at the end of the quarter. The dominance in the paint was 30-12 and a 12-0 advantage in fast break points.
Williams and Brackens led the team with 14 and 11 points respectively.
Fourth Quarter
Again, the Trojans started the quarter strong, but only outscored ASU 8-6 at the 5:30 timeout.
There seemed to be either a resurgence of effort on the part of Little Rock or a mental letdown by the Sun Devils and Miller saw it and quickly called timeout with just under five minutes left.
ASU was only 2-9 from beyond the arc, but they didn’t need it as they used they height and the ability to get the ball inside for higher percentage shots. With 1:26 left, the bench players came in to mop it up.
Final Score: Arizona State 59 Arkansas-Litte Rock 41.
Wrap Up
With a early morning start, Sun Devils players had to shake the cobwebs off and started slow, but other than Utah Tech on Tuesday, that’s been their issue so far at home.
With the big scoring margi, that allowed Molly Miller to utilize her bench. Without having a 7-8 player rotation still in this young season, 11 players saw action and 8 players got points. By getting the opportunity to go deep into her bench, Miller knows that the dividends will pay later on when Big XII Conference play begins in a few weeks.
Amaya Williams led the onslaught going 8-11 from the field and a team high 18 points. McKenna Brackens also had double figures with 11 points.
Jordan Holman lit it up for the Trojans with 21 points, burt no other Little Rock player gained double figures in scoring. UALR was only able to shoot 27% from the field and only 5-17 from three point land. They coughed up the ball 23 times whicj led to Arizona State easy buckets.
Up Next
Southeast Missouri State will come calling tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
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