This story was originally published on February 11, 2023.
The Arizona State Sun Devils (7-15, 0-18 Pac-12) women’s basketball team took a major 72-61 loss Friday to the California Golden Bears (12-12, 3-10 Pac-12) at Desert Financial Arena.
The beginning of the game featured offensive troubles from both teams, as the Devils and Bears didn’t seem to run plays that would work against the opposing defense. Junior guard Treasure Hunt was a massive factor in the opening minutes, leading to several turnovers for Cal.
With physical intensity rising, ASU could easily draw fouls in the paint against the Golden Bears, but luck would run out eventually in 2nd quarter. Driving to the paint to get hit by defenders became the strategy, and as fouls were not called, Cal began to come back within striking distance on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately ASU would be undersized the rest of the night, as junior center Imogen Greenslade would go out during the second quarter to an injury. ASU coach Natasha Adair was unable to give a timeline on how long this injury will last, or when Greenslade may return.
By halftime, the Bears amassed 13 turnovers but still managed to lead by 1 point. Down 34-33, the Devils kept great defensive pressure and took trips to the free-throw line when needed. This, however, would not proceed in the third quarter.
The Sun Devils only scored 3 total points in the third quarter. 2 of the points were off a fast break by junior guard Sydney Erikstrup. The last point was a free throw from fellow junior guard Tyi Skinner.
“We got the looks that we wanted, they just wouldn’t fall,” Adair said. “It’s the same shots we took in the 4th quarter and we got 25 points, it’s just staying locked in and staying focused.”
The Devils faced their share of problems all night, and one of their largest problems was a player who wore the number 30, with the last name Curry. Wearing the blue and gold for the California Golden Bears, Jayda Curry.
Not to be confused with an NBA superstar, Curry caused several defensive breakdowns for the Sun Devils. She ended up being the Bears’ leading scorer with 21 points, getting to the free-throw line six times, and making nine out of the 12 shots.
The Sun Devils did have one positive from the night that kept them in the game: their ability to score off of turnovers. Cal finished with 20 turnovers, and the Devils scored 17 points off of them.
Towards the end of the fourth quarter, the Devils seemed to be bringing back the same intensity they started the game with. Skinner and junior guard Jaddan Simmons were getting to the rim and drawing fouls to give them consecutive 3-point plays.
This brought the Devils back within single digits at one point, after being down by as much as 15 during the 3rd quarter.
But the electricity soon diminished as graduate forward Peanut Tuitele drained a 3-pointer, to put the Bears back to a score of 58-71, with only a little over a minute to go.
The Devils attempted several floaters and drove into the paint to get something going, but none of their shots seemed to fall through down the stretch.
“It’s definitely frustrating, but the game never stops for you just because you’re frustrated,” said Skinner.
This game moves the Devils to 0-13 in conference play, with only five games to go in the regular season, the next 3 being against ranked opponents in the top 25.
The ASU Sun Devils will battle the powerhouse of No. 6 Stanford next at Desert Financial Arena on Sunday.
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