(Tempe, AZ) The second game in two days for the Sun Devils after dispatching Arkansas-Little Rock 59-41 yesterday.
Molly Miller’s team still boasted their undefeated record (7-0) and looked to continue that tonight against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.
First Quarter
The Devils came out fast to a quick 4-0 lead in the first minute, but two quick three’s by the Redhawks took the lead 6-4.
Both teams wanted to establish tempo as the game went back and forth. The Redhawks were content to shoot the three and ASU relied on good ball movement and back cuts.
SEMO hit two out of three shots beyond the arc. The Sun Devils used reverse ball movement and back cuts effectively.
Neither team could shake the other and there was a lead change after almost every basket.
Gabby Elliott’s baseline jumper was the first points outside the paint for ASU in a fast paced first quarter, but the fearless Redhawks had 18-16 lead.
Second Quarter
ASU came out strong with a 10-0 run in the first five minutes as they continued to assault the basket. A lot of inside screen and rolls gave them high percentage shots.
The Redhawks scored their first points of the quarter at the 4:16 mark to break the run for ASU. They added another jumper and the lead was just three points 26-23.
Another ASU 6-0 run gave them back their cushion and held SEMO scoreless in the final 3:46 into the halftime locker room up 32-23.
Halftime
The first and second quarters were polar opposites as it was a track meet in the opening quarter with little defense. The second quarter, it was lock down defense by the Sun Devils which translated to transition baskets.
With a decisive size disadvantage, the Redhawks did their best to keep pace with five first half three’s.
Heloisa Carrera led Arizona State with 10 points. Gaby Elliott started the game on fire with three quick baskets and 6 points.
Southeast Missouri State out rebounded the Sun Devils 23-17 but the big stat was the ASU’s 24-2 advantage of points in the paint,
Third Quarter
ASU settling the tempo down into a half court run the offensive sets and run when itwas available. This allowed the defense also to play more disciplined.
Now it was ASU’s turn to showcase their half court trapping defense and to get easy baskets off turnovers.
After an 18-7 run by ASU and down 50-30, the Redhawks needed a timeout to catch their breath. Inasmuch as the opening quarter was run and gun, the Devils used their defense to create fast break opportunities.
Back came the press from Miller as she always disrupted the other team’s flow as well as disguising the zone to man to man defenses.
Arizona State was now taking charge of the boards as they were rebounded in the first half. They also scored 29 points in the quarter to 15 for SEMO 61- 37 heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Devils had gotten stronger as the game progressed. The Redhawks had 22 turnovers after three quarters which translated to 21 Sun Devil points.
Without a lot of offensive weapons, Southeast Missouri State briefly got the game back to a helter-skelter mode of back and forth in transition and shooting 3’s.
Carrera reached double-double status with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
ASU settled down again and ran their offense where SEMO continued to shoot from downtown.
In the end, though valiant in their effort, the Redhawks couldn’t keep pace falling 85-56.
Wrap Up
Other than the first quarter, the Sun Devils found their stride as they continued to improve and find the continuity that Coach Miller is building. Each game in the young season has seen different players shine.
ASU shot 47% from the field but only 3-18 beyond the arc. Their ball-hawking defense caused 26 Redhawks turnovers.
After being beat on the glass in the first half, Miller had them crashing the boards hard the remainder of the game, leading 46-34.
The defense caused 13 steals which turned into 27 points, but the big stat was 60 points in the paint to 10 for SEMU.
Last Tear Poa and Gabby Elliot also hit double figures with 12 and 14 points respectively.
Now with an 8-0 record to start the season, in Miller’s first season, matches the best mark in school history tied with the 1990-91 squad coached by Maura McHugh. That team’s streak ended at 9-0.
Up Next
ASU will have a little time til their next game on December 5th at home against McNeese State.at 6:30 p.m.
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