(Tempe, AZ) Arizona State’s second home game this season brings Eastern Washington from the Big Sky Conference to town.
The Eagles are 1-0 having defeated Northwest College 99-43 back on November 2nd. The Eagles under the direction of Jodie Gleason in her fourth year.
ASU also 1-0 with their scrappy win over Coppin State last Monday used an 18-2 run to finish the game winning 67-53.
Several newcomers this season are expected to carry the load, Marley Washennitz, Acacia Hayes, Gabby Elliott, and Jordan Jones.
ASU is 2-0 against Eastern Washington, but haven’t met since 2011.
Photo – Bill McCulloch/602 Sports Talk
First Quarter
ASU’s defense had two block shots in the first minute and a half.
At the 6:05 mark, only up 2-0, Marley Washenitz sank one of two free thows 3-0 Sun Devils.
Eastern Washington finally scored at 5:43 on tip in by Paris Kirk 5-2 ASU.
Molly Miller wanted to work the ball down low and Gabby Elliott used her muscle to score a post layup.
Washenitz followed with a strong drive and finish for the score and a 9-7 lead after a bank in three by Elon Bowers for the Eagles.
After a dismal three point shooting performance against Coppin State, only hitting two all game, Makayla Moor drained one from the right baseline and the Devils extended the lead 14-7.
The defense from Arizona State was the key in the first quarter, only allowing 7 Eagle points on 4-18 shooting (22.2%).
The Devis were 5-12 (41.7%) in field goals and 4-8 from the free throw line.
Photo – Bill McCulloch/602 Sports Talk
Second Quarter
Eastern Washington started the quarter working the ball inside for an easy layup, but Elliott scored on a second chance shot.
McKinna Brackens drained a three pointer off the fast break and extended the lead 22-14.
The Sun Devils ball movement was much better this game and they made the extra pass for higher percentage shot opportunities.
Amaya Willams gave the Sun Devils a ten point lead off her own rebound and eight foot jumper 26-16.
The Eagles out of the timeout, went on a 5-2 run to tighten up the sore 28-21 at the 3:30 mark.
A new wrinkle this game over the Coppin State game was the team looked to run when available forcing the Eagles’ defense to adjust.
Jyah LoVett drove the left side and scored a physical layup with the foul and free throw conversion.
ASU led at the half 32-24.
Halftime
The pace the Sun Devils forced in the second quarter gave them the advantage allowing them better shots and finished 12-30 (40%). Gabby Elliott led all scorers with 8 points.
Both teams rebounded well with ASU ahead 22-20. The second quarter was played very even as both Arizona State and Eastern Washington picked up their tempo.
The key in the first half was the scoring advantage ASU had after the first quarter leading by 6 points.
Photo Bill McCulloch/602 Sports Talk
Third Quarter
ASU opened up the quarter with a three pointer and a fast break layup for a 37-24 lead.
The hot shooting continued as the Sun Devils went 4-4 out of the locker room that forced an Eastern Washington timeout and 43-26 score.
Arizona State continued the fast tempo forcing the Eagles back on their heels and taking the ball into the paint for layups.
Elliott continued to lead the team with 13 points and 5 rebounds just past the midway point of the quarter.
The lead went to twenty one 47-26 off two Washenitz free throws. She also played tough defense, knocking the ball away from an Eagle player and tipped to LoVett for a short 10 foot jumper, 51-27.
LoVett on the next possession, went coast to coast for a layup 53-47 forcing an Eagles’ timeout.
Even on out of bounds plays, ASU looked to run sending LoVett to the line for free throws.
The Devils outscored Eastern Washington 22-8 to pull ahead 54-32 heading into the final quarter.
Photo – Bill McCulloch/602 Sports Talk
Fourth Quarter
Sun Devils’ high-low game scored the first points of the final quarter, followed by another Elliott driving layup.
The ASU defense also was more physical keeping the Eagles out of the paint and forcing outside shots.
EWU’s scoring drought ended off a three pointer and a couple of free throws but still trailed by 19 points 60-41 with 5:48 left in the game.
Washenitz’s turn to drive off a missed Eagles shot and got mugged but failed to hit the first shot of a one and one. Lovett made up for it on her drive off the break to score.
After a scramble for a 50/50 ball, Washenitz connected with a three pointer from the top of the key for a 66-42 lead and under four minutes left.
Ella Gallatin knocked down a three to get the deficit under twenty points 70-52 but this game was in the books.
Sun Devils lock down defense and good game flow was too much for Eastern Washington 73-58.
Ring that Bell Photo – Bill McCulloch
Wrap Up
Elliott. Washenitz and LoVell led the team with 15, 14 and 13 points respectively. ASU shot 28-62 for 45.2%, holding the Eagles to 21-57 and 36.8% from the field.
Eastern Washington held it relatively close most of the game off 8 threes.
The first (9) and third quarters (8) , the Arizona State held the Eagles to single digit scoring while scoring 37.
The Sun Devils will hit the road for the first time this season when they face the University of San Diego on November 13th followed by the University of Santa Clara on November 16th.
This afternoon’s attendance is 2,261.
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