Sun Devils obliterate Lobos behind Richardson’s career high

December 14, 2019

By Scott Mammoser

TEMPE, Ariz. – Reili Richardson scored a career-best 21 points to lead the Arizona State women’s basketball team to an 84-47 win over New Mexico on Saturday afternoon.

Richardson’s previous best was 18 at Florida State two years ago, and she eclipsed the mark with a three pointer that opened a 20-point lead with three minutes to go in the third.

ASU Crushes New Mexico 84-47

“My teammates have helped me all four years,” said Richardson, who was 5-of-10 from three-point range. “They make the shots, I pass them. We were in a better flow today, and when we get better looks, we make our shots.”

The Sun Devils (8-2) found a quick start and double-figure lead after the first quarter (22-9), something that was missing in its previous two games, rally wins over BYU and Idaho State. ASU led 32-23 at the half, with Richardson already scoring 12, two from downtown. While Richardson rested on the bench for most of the second half, it was a great opportunity for Sara Bejedi, the freshman from Finland, who notched 13 of her personal-high 16 points off the bench in the second half.

“It’s our way of just playing fast,” Bejedi said of the style of play on Saturday. “I came in with a great mindset today, and my team was great. I chose to be positive and focus on the next shot and not the missed shot.”

In addition, ASU forward Ja’Tavia Tapley pulled in another double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Kiara Russell grabbed eight rebounds with five assists. Jordan Hosey led the Lobos (7-4) with nine points. The Sun Devils were 10-of-31 from downtown for the game, and they kept the Lobos to 0-of-18 from long range.

“I’m very proud of our team, we really put it together today,” ASU Coach Charli Turner Thorne said. “We made the extra pass a little better in the second half, and it’s something to build on. Hopefully, there’s no looking back for Reili Richardson because she’s one of our best shooters. It loosens up a little bit of everything.”

ASU was fifth in the also receiving votes category of the coaches’ poll this week (30^th) and eighth in the AP Poll (33^rd overall).

Next up for both teams will be the New Mexico State Aggies, with the Lobos hosting at 7 p.m.  Monday in Albuquerque, then the Sun Devils travel to Las Cruces at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. UNM and ASU then play hosts for Big East opponents, Providence (7 p.m., Wednesday in Albuquerque) and Creighton (2 p.m., Friday at Tempe).

The Lobos started the season 6-0, with wins over Houston and Missouri, before losses to West Virginia, Boise State and Wyoming. The program appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments from 1998 to 2008, but it has been absent from the Big Dance since.