TUCSON -- It has been a rough season for ASU against its bitter rivals.
The slump began in November when the football team suffered an embarrassing loss to UA. Then the men's basketball team endured its 10th consecutive loss at McKale Center. Even the gymnastics team stumbled home from Tucson after getting upset by the Wildcats.
The ASU women's basketball team was no exception Wednesday, becoming UA's fourth straight victim this year from Tempe.
Similar to the men's basketball team's collapse in Tucson, the women's basketball team fell apart in the second half, allowing UA to blow the game open.
"It's a great atmosphere down here," ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne said. "It's a tough place to play, and [UA coach] Joan [Bonvicini] has a good program here."
The most frustrating part for the Sun Devils is they've proven they can play with the Pac-10's elite teams.
They won on the road over then-No. 19 UCLA. They beat UA by 22 points at Wells Fargo Arena. And they shut down the Pac-10's leading scorer, senior guard Shannon Howell, in a home win over Oregon State.
There's just something about Tucson.
"These fans are hostile," ASU sophomore forward Emily Westerberg said. "The environment is rough, and it really takes a toll on the heart to lose here."
Unlike most teams that travel to Tucson, the women's basketball team matched up well against the Wildcats.
ASU and UA came into the game with identical records, each using different motivators. The Wildcats had revenge on their minds after their loss to ASU three weeks ago. The Sun Devils came in with confidence after their weekend sweep of the Oregon schools.
The Sun Devils have dropped four in a row at McKale Center, dating back to the 2000-01 season. They'll have to wait another year for a chance to beat UA on the road.
"We're already thinking about game plans for revenge next year," Westerberg said. "More importantly than winning at home, we want to win down here."
ASU has a few more opportunities to win at UA. The baseball team heads to Tucson on Feb. 23, and the softball team travels there April 22-23.
Reach the reporter at brian.knapp@asu.edu.
