(Tempe, AZ) ASU had two home games remaining and a regular season finale at Texas Tech before embarking on to the Big XII Tournament in Kansas City in early March.
The Sun Devils (21-7, 8-7 Big 12) looked to build momentum heading into the final three games before postseason starts.
Houston (7-19, 1-14 Big 12) trying to play spoiler to close out their tumultuous season. The Cougars had only won one road game prior to tonight and were on a five game losing streak.
ASU lost in Ames Iowa and looked to right the ship at home. Being on the Bubble, the Devils didn’t have much room for error.
First Quarter
Houston went up 3-0 after two missed possessions and 6-2 a moment later. ASU kept pace from a Washenitz trey and down by one 6-5.
Sun Devils had the defense cranked up early as LastTear Poa stripped the ball and converted it into a layup and a 9-6 ASU lead.
Midway through the quarter, the Devils had extended their lead as Washenitz continued to hot from behind the line and 15-6 advantage into the media timeout.
Constant defensive pressure from Arizona State had Houston guessing all the way down the court as Molly Miller went into her three quarter court trap. The Cougars were just 2-7 before being bailed out by Martina Fantini foul.
Dominance was the story in the first quarter along with good inside-outside offense gave ASU a 27-13 lead.
The team was 4-6 from beyond the arc with Marley Washenitz hitting 3-4.
Huston was just 3-11 from the field and a 27% shooting.
Second Quarter
An early timeout by the Cougars as ASU came out hot to begin the quarter up 31-15 after a flagrant foul by Poa.
The Devis dominance on the offensive boards 7-2 gave them multiple opportunities on their possessions.
The lead went to twenty 39-19 midway through the quarter as Eloisa Carrera was a beast offensively in the paint that Houston had no answer for.
The Cougars were beaten down, they really had exhausted all their options bot offensively and on defense. Timeout at 3:43 down 45-21.
Jyah LoVette finished off an almost perfect half with a drive and layup at the buzzer for 49-27 heading into the locker room at the half.
Halftime
Houston could never muster any offensive consistency as they only managed 6-24 (25%) from the field, 2-10 (20%) on three pointers. The majority of their points were from the free throw line as they shot a sizzling 93% (13-14) just to keep them from being total blown out.
The Sun Devils shot 55% 21-38 from the field, 4-8 (50%) from behind the line but only managed 3-4 from the free throw line as time and time again, they would blow past their defenders on cross-over dribbles that resulted in layups. Arizona State had 15 first half assists.
In addition, ASU only turned the ball over four times and completely dominated the glass 26-10.
Third Quarter
The Sun Devis came out in the third quarter still on fire. Houston, on the other hand would do something right and Miller’s Gang would quickly recover and get a steal or turnover to take the air out of the Cougars’ balloon.
It took Houston twenty minutes of play to finally get 30 points.
The Cougars went on a 5-0 run off a steal and a three pointer, but failed to get back on defense as Washenitz found Poa with a 70 foot pass for a layup to break Houston’s spirit once again, 61-44 with under a minute to play in the third quarter.Sun Devils traded a 3-2 points at the end of the quarter. 64-46 heading to the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
After going on a 8-2 run to start the final quarter, Houston went into a full court press. The Devils got back on their horse and went on a 8-0 run themselves, forcing a Cougar timeout, at 74-54.
The question was, would Molly Miller take out the starters with a twenty point lead, or let the good times roll?
Even when Houston played a ball-hawking defense getting the Devils out of their comfort zone, Fantini calmly made a layup as the shot clock expired.
With about two and a half minutes left, Miller finally called off the dogs and cleared her bench.
Final Score: Arizona State 81 Houston 56.
Wrap Up
This may have been the best overall game on both sides of the ball. The defense was overwhelming, holding the Cougars to 28% shooting. The outside shot was not there either as ASU extended their perimeter defense causing Houston to take contested shots. The one bright spot for UH was their free throw shooting as they hit 24-27 (89%).
ASU’s ball movement was phenomenal as they went inside for 52 points, had 25 fast break points as they pushed the ball upcourt for 24 layups.
The Sun Devils had the lead for 35:53 and thoroughly dominated the outmanned Cougars.
Carrera led the Devils with 23 points on 10-12 shooting. Washenitz was the early spark on offense and finished with 14 points and 8 boards. Brackens had a solid 17 points on 50% shooting (8-16), while LoVett added 12 points.
This was total domination as it should have been with a 1-15 conference team. Many teams will play down to their opponents.
Arizona State is projected to be the last team into The Dance and still has two crucial games remaining until the Big XII Tournament. The Sun Devils still need to beat BYU next Wednesday to avenge their loss in Provo. Texas Tech in Lubbock finishes up the regular season.
