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ASU women's basketball wins at Stanford for first time in 31 years

Junior guard Arnecia Hawkins attempts a layup in a game against Middle Tennessee, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. ASU hosts No. 12 Stanford this weekend. (Photo by Ben Moffat)
Junior guard Arnecia Hawkins attempts a layup in a game against Middle Tennessee, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. ASU hosts No. 12 Stanford this weekend. (Photo by Ben Moffat)

Junior guard Arnecia Hawkins attempts a layup in a game against Middle Tennessee, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Blue Raiders 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat) Junior guard Arnecia Hawkins attempts a layup in a game against Middle Tennessee, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Blue Raiders 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat)

Despite being outscored 35-20 in the second half, the No. 13 ASU women's basketball team squeaked out a 60-57 upset at No. 11 Stanford.

It was a tale of two halves. ASU (17-1, 6-0 Pac-12) has gotten into a habit of playing very well in one half and struggling to find itself in the other, but it’s never been to this extreme.

ASU went into the half leading by 17. This was in large part of Stanford (13-5, 5-1, Pac-12) being unable to translate on opportunities given up by ASU’s defense.

“We needed a close game, we haven’t had one for a while,” ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne said in an interview with KAZG-1440 AM. “There are actually some really good things you can take from this.”

Led by sophomore guard Lili Thompson, the Cardinal players were able to drive into the lane with relative ease. Multiple defenders would rotate over to the penetrator, leaving at least one person open. Thompson made a couple cross-court passes to a 3-point shooter. Typically, that would be the game. Stanford is second in the league in 3-point percentage.

The Cardinal missed quite a few open ones, though, and by the end of the first half, the team was only shooting 2-for-10 from behind the arch. Thompson had five points and senior guard Amber Orrange had just two.

ASU’s defense adjusted. There was less rotation on drives and instead the Sun Devils remained inside the passing lanes. Stanford was smart with the ball — the team only committed six turnovers in the first half, a low mark for ASU opponents.

ASU went into the second half leading 39-22.

A large piece of this came from second-chance baskets. ASU had 11 offensive rebounds in the first half and made 15 second-chance points. At the break, ASU was outrebounding the Cardinal 24-10.

“This team believes that if they don’t give teams second shots, nobody’s going to beat them,” Turner Thorne said. Just like if we don’t get our second shots, we’re probably not going to win.”

The second half was completely Stanford’s game. ASU didn’t score until 4:30 elapsed and the lead had been cut to 11.

ASU’s defense was giving up open opportunities, but two things occurred: one, the post defense was very strong at the beginning. Defenders were going straight up to alter shots and weren’t being called for fouls. Secondly: Stanford continued missing easy looks.

“Defensively, we got spread out,” Turner Thorne said.

It looked like ASU was trying to hand the game to Stanford. The Sun Devils committed 12 turnovers in the second half, many of which were unforced. In response, Stanford scored only 12 points off turnovers.

The only thing going for ASU was their rebounding. The Sun Devils outrebounded Stanford 44-22 in the game.

“Our rebounding effort was incredible today,” Turner Thorne said. “Just a championship effort.”

ASU finally got going in the final five minutes of the game. Stanford had just cut the lead 47-46 — the first time the lead was below two since before the opening bucket — but senior guard Promise Amukamara hit a layup. Junior guard Elisha Davis made a couple free throws, and the team went on a stretch to push the lead to seven with 0:31 remaining.

Stanford wasn’t done. Thompson, shooting 46 percent from the 3-point line, retaliated with a quick triple. Orrange made a nice drive and cut the lead back down to two.

ASU sophomore forward Sophie Brunner made both ensuing free throws and Davis eventually iced the game. ASU won 60-57, handing Stanford its first Pac-12 loss of the season.

This was the first time ASU has won at Turner Thorne’s alma mater since before she became a coach.

“I’m just so happy for the team, it’s honestly not about me,” she said. “They just continue to amaze me.”

Reach the reporter at logan.newman@asu.edu or follow @Logan_Newsman on Twitter.

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