Tapley’s 18 rebounds and Richardson’s three from downtown move ASU ahead of BYU in third quarter

December 6, 2019

By Scott Mammoser

TEMPE, Ariz. – Coming home from the Gulf Coast Showcase, the Arizona State women’s basketball team fought with BYU for 25 minutes, until an offensive outpouring led the Sun Devils to a 60-52 win.

ASU defeats BYU 60-52

“I thought that was a good team win,” said Charli Turner Thorne, who earned her 450^th win as coach of the Sun Devils. “We were struggling offensively, and we had great looks, we were just rushing. We went in at halftime, saying we could not be any worse offensively. I think we knew were going to come out and be a lot better.”

BYU (3-3) kept the Sun Devils (6-2) off the board for the game’s first five minutes and jumped to a 12-4 lead and one of 16-10 after the first quarter. Taya Hanson opened the second with a three, and an Iris Mbulito jumper from the foul line put the Sun Devils in the lead at 17-16. BYU regained its composure and enjoyed a 23-17 halftime advantage. The Cougars outscored ASU, 14-6, in the paint at the time, although a majority of its points came from guards Paisley Johnson and Brenna Drollinger, 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-8.

“We were taking shots early in the shot clock, which is not something we do,” Turner Thorne added. “Clearly, we are a work in progress with a very young team. I am proud of them for fighting.”

The Cougars opened the second half on a 6-0 run and another Sun Devils’ timeout. Threes from Reili Richardson on two different possessions twice sent ASU into the driver’s seat, then another big Richardson shot from downtown made it 39-33. ASU outscored BYU 24-10 in the third and 24-4 after the timeout. The closest BYU would ever be again would be after a three pointer cut the lead to two with 26 seconds left.

“Our offense was a little shaky in the first half and I look to be aggressive,” said Richardson, who finished with 15 points. “I practice shooting every day, and I can knock down those shots. I just looked to shoot the ball when I was open.”

Ja’Tavia Tapley scored 11 points with a career-high five assists to go along with her 18 rebounds (14 on the defensive), which were the most by a Sun Devil in the past 20 years.

“Preparing for this game, we knew they were going to be bigger,” Tapley said. “We are a smaller team than most teams in the Pac-12, so that was something we focused on. I concentrated more on that (rebounding) than scoring; my shot was not dropping.”

Johnson ended with 18 points for BYU, and Drollinger scored 14 with eight rebounds. The Cougars previously lost to Pac-12 teams Washington State and Utah, and they have another big matchup with No. 5 Oregon State on Dec. 19 in Maui. Their next game will be at Boise State on Dec. 11.

ASU has another home game this weekend, when it tips off with Idaho State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, then plays New Mexico at the same time at Desert Financial Arena on Dec. 14.

“If you look at our schedule, every team left will probably be fighting for its conference championship,” Turner Thorne said.

Sun Devil volleyball wraps up home slate with decisive loss to Trojans

November 27, 2019

Sun Devil volleyball wraps up home slate with decisive loss to Trojans

By Scott Mammoser

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona State women’s volleyball team could not sustain a 2-1 lead and concluded its home schedule with a five-set loss to USC on Wednesday to fall  to 16-13 and 8-10 in the Pacific-12 Conference.

ASU loses to USC falling to 16-13 and 8-10 in Pac-12 play 

The Trojans (16-12, 10-8 Pac-12) captured the opening set, 25-19, although the Sun Devils did rally back to make the ending more interesting. ASU saved three set points in winning the second, 30-28, and each team faulted on a potentially-winning serve. The momentum carried into the third set, with the Sun Devils leading throughout and opening up a 25-20 victory. It was the opposite in the fourth, with USC jumping on a 15-5 lead and another 25-19 win. USC continued to take charge and posted an 8-3 advantage as the teams changed sides, before running away with a 15-5 fifth and deciding set.

“It’s a tough way to end the season at home, not the way we wanted to perform,” ASU coach Sanja Tomasevic said. “It’s like working through the weaknesses and getting mentally tougher too. My hope is to continue improving. We have room to improve, you can tell from this match. I haven’t seen them this sad after a match in a long time.”

This was Tomasevic’s third season with the program, improving from 10-22, (0-20 Pac-12) to 14-18 and 5-15 in 2018 and now over .500 and on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. She added that a win over a top-50 team like USC would have really helped her team’s chances. The Sun Devils collected two wins over a ranked Washington State team, most recently at home on Nov. 21, likely their two biggest wins of the season.

Khalia Lanier, the former National High School Player of the Year at Scottsdale’s Xavier Prep and the daughter of Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, was stellar for USC on Wednesday with 33 kills.

“We knew her tendencies,” Tomasevic said of Lanier, “but she’s a great player and blocks shots. She was hitting deeper and harder. She’s not afraid to take big swings. I’m glad I’m not going to be watching her from the opposing side anymore.”

Ivana Jeremic led the Sun Devils with 16 kills in her final match at Desert Financial Arena, with Andrea Mitrovic adding 15 and Jada Burse 11. The Sun Devils have one more match, at Arizona at noon on Saturday and won the previous match with the Wildcats in Tempe in September, 3-0.

Territorial Cup Stays in Tempe Another Year

Mike Stockman
Photos by Keenan Wright

Tempe, AZ - The Arizona State University Sun Devils hosted the University of Arizona Wildcats in the 93rd Duel in the Desert on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Sun Devil Stadium. The Devils defeated the Wildcats 24-14 to keep the oldest rivalry trophy known as the Territorial Cup for another year in Tempe.

In a traditional battle in the desert that's proven to be a game in which season statistics make no difference and the underdog typically prevails, fans and players gave it their all with big hits, big plays, and fun for all ages.

In the first quarter, both teams fought valiantly to get a score, but even a missed field goal left the fans wondering who would get on the board first.

Zendejas scored 10 points in 24-14 victory over Wildcats

The second quarter proved to be more exciting than the first as the Devils got on the board first with a Christian Zendejas field goal from 33 yards. He added another field goal to close out the half from 24 yards, allowing the Wildcats to lead 7-6 at the half.

The Wildcats scored mid-way through the second quarter to take the lead going into the half on a 48 yard touchdown pass from Khalil Tate to Jamarye Joiner.

Statistically, the Wildcats led in all areas at the half, with a total offense 220 to the Devils' 146 total offense.  The Wildcats converted 6-11 third-downs to 1-7 for the Devils.

In the third quarter, Eno Benjamin crossed the goal line twice, once from six yards and once from one yard to put the Devils on top 21-7.  Benjamin would be named Most Valuable Player of the game, ending the night - possibly his last in Sun Devil Stadium - with 168 yards rushing, two touchdowns, and finished the season breaking 1000 yards.

Eno Benjamin earns MVP, scores twice in victory over Wildcats

The Devils defense stepped up during the third quarter producing two interceptions on the Wildcats' side of the field, which set up the drives in which Benjamin scored.

The fourth quarter was owned by the Devils, who were able t score another Zendejas field goal with 7:16 left. The Wildcats finished the scoring for the game on a two yard touchdown pass from Tate to Joiner with less than five minutes left in the game.

The Devils would finish the game in the victory formation and the victory 24-14. 

The Wildcats finished their season 4-8, 2-7 Pac-12. This was Kevin Sumlin's second year as Arizona's Head Coach, who now has a record of 9-15 leading the Wildcats.

The Devils are waiting to hear which bowl game they will be playing after finishing the
regular season 7-5, 4-5 Pac-12. 

Devils Cook the Ducks in Sun Devil Stadium

Mike Stockman

Tempe, AZ - The Arizona State University Sun Devils hosted and roasted the #6 Oregon Ducks at Sun Devil Stadium on Saturday, November 23, 2019, by a score of 31-28.

Some may think it wasn't a roasting, but statistically, the Devils had 535 yards total offense to the Ducks' 458, had two interceptions, and controlled the clock with 36:25.

The fourth quarter had a total of 39 points, 21 going to the Devils.

Devils defeat the Ducks in an upset 31-28.

The Ducks were on the board first when Cyrus Habibi-Likio, sophomore RB from Palo Alto, CA, crossed the goal line on a five yard run, which was the last lead for the Ducks. 

The Devils tied it up on a perfect throw and catch of 57 yards from Jayden Daniels, freshman from San Bernardino, CA, to Frank Darby, R-Jr from Jersey City, NJ with less than five minutes left in the opening quarter.

Darby would finish the night with four catches totaling 125 yards and two touchdowns.

With less than a minute left in the first quarter, fourth down and less than a yard to make the first, the Devils defense stopped the Ducks, keeping score tied 7-7 going into the second quarter.

With 3:40 left in the first half, Devils' Christian Zendejas made a 25 yard field goal, putting Devils up 10-7.

At the half, The Devils offense had 256 total yards offense with Daniels connecting on 12-14 passes with 191 yards and one touchdown pass.

The Ducks were held to 195 yards total offense, allowing the Devils to lead at the half 10-7.

Frank Darby scored twice in victory over the Ducks.

In the third quarter, the Devils defense held strong, keeping the Ducks to 73 yards total offense.

The Devils offense gained 128 yards in the third quarter, scoring a field goal to put them up 13-7 going into the fourth quarter.

The first play of the fourth quarter was an interception by Devils' Jack Jones, giving the Devils excellent field position at the Ducks 32. Shortly after, Daniels connected with Darby in the back of the end zone for a 26 yard touchdown, extended lead to 21-7 over the Ducks.

After getting the ball back, the Ducks are picked off again giving Devils another chance to extend the lead when Zendejas kicked his third field goal of the game bumping score to 24-7 with 8:42 left in the game.

The Ducks, after two poorly executed possessions, drove the field, scoring on a 10 yard Habibi-Likio rush, his second rushing touchdown of the game making the score 24-14 with 7:43 left in game.

The Ducks scored again in less than three minutes 24-21, letting the fans know they weren't done until Daniels hit Aiyuk for a 81 yard touchdown on a third and 17 giving buffer to the Devils, 31-21.

Coach Herm Edwards has 12-11 record in two years at ASU.

Shortly after, the Ducks march down the field and score on a pass, 31-28 with 2:04 left on the clock.

When the Ducks tried an onside kick, the Devils held on to close the upset 31-28. 

The Ducks, who lead the Pac-12 North, travel to Eugene on November 30, 2019 to take on the Oregon State Beavers for an inner state rival game.

The Devils host in state rival University of Arizona Wildcats for the Territorial Cup trophy on November 30, 2019 at 6 p.m.

Sun Devils complete sweep of military academies, with win over Army

By Scott Mammoser

TEMPE – Coach Charli Turner Thorne said she wanted her team to play a more up-tempo style of offense this season, and through the No. 18 Arizona State women’s basketball team’s first two games, her game plan has lived up to its billing.

The Sun Devils scored 34 points off turnovers to defeat Army West Point on Sunday, 83-51, and improve to 2-0. Celebrating Veteran’s Day this week, it was the second time in five days that ASU hosted one of the military academies, coming up victorious against Air Force, 87-56, in its season opener on Tuesday.

#18 ASU improves to 2-0 on the season

“We got better from Tuesday to tonight, we rebounded better,” Turner Thorne said. “We’re clearly young and not sustaining tome things. We could have got to triple digits possibly. I thought everybody got more consistent today. Air Force and Army are tough and athletic, and I love their fight and relentlessness. I didn’t think our perimeter shooting showed up as much as I wanted it to (4-of-21), everybody on the team can shoot.”

At halftime, ASU poised a 48-27 advantage, which is a score we might have seen at the end of the third quarter in years past. A balanced attack, three Sun Devils scored at least eight points at the time, while Lindsey Scamman of Army had all 12 of her team-high points in the first half. The ASU bench actually scored 51 points, which equaled Army’s team total.

Ja’Tavia Tapley, the USC transfer, led the Sun Devils with 18 points in the game.

“I’m glad to be able to bring that to this team,” Tapley said, “to make a difference after not being able to do so the past couple years.”

Jayde Van Hyfte and Robbi Ryan each added 12 points, with Van Hyfte including 10 rebounds in her double-double, while it was the season debut for the previously-injured Ryan, who played 15 minutes.

“It was really fun to be back,” Ryan said. “It’s always fun to be with my teammates.”

ASU will be at No. 23 Minnesota and second-year head coach Lindsay Whalen on Nov. 17, then travels to the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase, beginning with a game against Maine on Nov. 29. The next matchup at Desert Financial Arena will be with BYU at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6.

Stewart Friesen Gets Checkered Flag at Lucas Oil 150

November 8, 2019
Mike Stockman
Photos By Keenan Wright

Friesen wins Lucas Oil 150

Phoenix, AZ - Stewart Friesen won his second of 70 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series races when he crossed the finish line at ISM Raceway's 25th Annual Lucas Oil 150 on November 8, 2019.

Friesen, age 36, driver for car No. 52 owned by Halmar Friesen Racing and Crew Chief Trip Bruce, won his second victory and 16th top-10 finish in 2019 after being penalized for jumping the start.

This was Friesen's fourth race at ISM Raceway.  He finished top-10 in three of the four races, including this victory.

Friesen started the race in position 2. At the end of stage one, he slipped to the ninth position. By lap 90, end of stage two, he climbed back up to the fourth position, taking the checkered flag after leading 44 laps, which earned him 49 points putting him in next weekend's Championship 4.

Friesen won his second Truck Series race in 2019

Sun Devils fly away from Air Force in second half to open season

November 5, 2019

By Scott Mammoser

TEMPE – The Arizona State women’s basketball team opened its quest for a seventh-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth with an 87-56 win over Air Force at the newly-named Desert Financial Arena on Tuesday. The Sun Devils are ranked 18^th in the nation and return senior guards Robbi Ryan and Reili Richardson from last season’s 22-11 team that fell to Mississippi State in the Sweet 16, although Ryan is in the latter stages of nursing an injury.

Reili Richardson Starts Senior Year Quest 

“The first half was had the classic first game jitters,” said senior forward Jamie Ruden, who scored 14 points. “At halftime, we said to relax and be disciplined, and that carried over to the second half.”

After opening with a 40-29 lead at halftime, the Sun Devils exhausted the Falcons with an increased tempo of play that head coach Charli Turner Thorne said she would like to incorporate. That is a contradiction to her traditionally defense-focused style of play.

“The way we’re playing this year, in the second half, we want to wear teams down,” Turner Thorne said. “The guards need to rebound this year, and then we will play faster. All of our new kids, even the sophomores, did not play as well as they practiced, they were nervous.”

Sara Bejedi, the freshman guard from Finland, who scored 16 points per game in the World University Games this summer, debuted for ASU with 12 points and three assists. Fellow freshmen Eboni Walker and Sydnei Caldwell donned the maroon and gold for the first time on Tuesday, as well as Ja’Tavia Tapley, a 6-foot-3 graduate transfer from USC. Tapley scored 11 and grabbed eight rebounds, while Jayde Van Hyfte scored 12.

Kamri Heath, a 5-foot-7 freshman from Oklahoma, scored 12 in the first half and finished with 16 points in her first career game at Air Force. Emily Conroe added 12 points and eight rebounds, as well.

ASU will host a second military institution when Army visits Tempe at 5 p.m. MT on Sunday, before a road trip takes the Sun Devils to No. 23 Minnesota on Nov. 17.

The Falcons, who were 8-22 and 10^th of 11 teams in the Mountain West Conference last year, will next face NJIT at home on Friday. The Sun Devils were the only ranked opponent on the Falcons’ schedule this season, but there is a game at Tennessee on Dec. 1. Boise State is heavily-favorited to win the Mountain West this campaign.