Shooting from the 3-point line has been a struggle for Arizona State women’s basketball this season, but those issues were dealt with and improved upon in Saturday’s 80-73 win against SMU.
The Sun Devils entered Desert Financial Arena 12-47 from the 3-point line, but an improved offensive showing saw Natasha Adair’s side have its best 3-point shooting game this season.
“The team is warming up,” Adair said after the game on the team’s 3-point shooting. “I don’t think it was anything we did differently. These are the shots they take every day. I thought it was within the offense, so they were ready to shoot.”
ASU made the difference in the first half, shooting 50% from the 3-point line. The Sun Devils entered halftime with a 12-point lead after a strong second quarter, with junior guard Jalyn Brown and graduate guard Tyi Skinner scoring a combined 34 points.
“Once I get going, the rim looks really wide to me,” Brown said. “I just keep my foot on the gas and make sure I keep finding my teammates.”
It was a season-high game in points for Brown as she recorded 25 points against the Mustangs. The junior netted three 3-pointers in Saturday’s win, which was her most made in a single game this season.
Defensively, Adair’s side improved as the Sun Devils allowed a 3-point percentage of 34% against SMU: their second-lowest percentage given up from the 3-point line this season.
“We talked about having 40 full minutes, and we got 40 full minutes,” Adair said. “I’m impressed by our defense because it’s something we were focusing on, and you saw 40 full minutes of it.”
ASU racked five 3-pointers after halftime, with the Sun Devils totaling 11 made shots from behind the line. Their total was one shy of equaling their total number of 3-pointers made in the past three games combined as Adair’s side improves to 2-2 this season.
“We got [the 3-pointers] in rhythm,” Adair said. “I’m not surprised that they went in. I think it was more about the shots they took within the offense.”
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