As students prepare for finals, the ASU women’s basketball team prepares to continue their home court dominance.
Tuesday, the Sun Devils welcome Cal State Fullerton (3-4) to Tempe. ASU (6-1) has not lost at home this season and doesn’t expect that to change during finals week.
Coach Joseph Anders made a comparison between students preparing for finals and his team preparing for the rest of the season.
“If you are student in the classroom and you are taking a final, it’s just your test and your knowledge,” Anders said. “As a basketball team, it’s the whole team. It’s almost as if it is an open book test because of the fact you have all of your teammates that get to help you.”
The Titans started off the season on the right foot. They competed well in their first three games, winning all three in California.
As the team moved out of the state and the season progressed, the Titans struggled. They have lost four games in a row, including a loss to NAU Sunday.
The Titans have a couple of players that contribute offensively to the team but one player, senior guard Megan Richardson, creates a large portion of the Titans’ scoring. Richardson has averaged 16.1 points per game so far this season.
After last weekend’s defensive performances against Eastern Washington and Illinois State, ASU has shown that they can defend a top scorer.
Anders said he was proud of the way the Sun Devils defended last weekend and hopes to see that continue.
“Any time you can take a player that has had, I want to say, five or more games over 20, and then have her have a high FGA (Field Goal Attempts) game but not a high FGM (Field Goals Made) game is a very good deal,” Anders said.
Senior guard Alex Earl defended well last weekend, so look for ASU to station her on Richardson. With Earl guarding Richardson there is a good chance Earl will keep her under her average.
The Sun Devils have played in seven games so far this season. With only one loss to a top ranked opponent, the feeling around the gym is optimistic.
Senior forward Kimberly Brandon said she has liked the way things have started this season.
“We are really trying to stay consistent this year, with our wins and everything,” Brandon said. “So we just keep being positive and staying consistent no matter how the game is going.”
In the past two games, ASU jumped out to two solid leads and controlled the game from that point on. Against a struggling Cal State Fullerton team, the Sun Devils will be looking to do the same.
Junior guard Micaela Pickens said a fast start is key to her team’s success.
“I think we are more of a team that we have to start off at a good pace, start off kind of fast at the beginning of the game to set the tone,” Pickens said.
Going into the game Anders had a simple message for his team. He said that they have to remain humble and hungry in their next couple of games.
“If we stay hungry and humble, we have a chance to get better day by day and game by game,” Anders said.
Reach the reporter at ehubbard@asu.edu
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