The ASU women’s basketball team nearly lost the game to the Washington State Cougars, but it held on to win 47–42.
The Sun Devils (18-8, 9-6 Pac-12) were able to secure an 18-point lead with less than six minutes to go.
Then, WSU (10-17, 4-11 Pac-12) came back with a vengeance and cut the ASU lead to two with less than a minute to go.
Senior guard Alex Earl said the team needs to improve on closing out games.
“In the past, our games haven’t been finished like we wanted them to,” Earl said. “I think that’s something that we need start focusing on.”
ASU held on thanks to a few clutch free throws and solid defense.
Coach Joseph Anders said the late collapse does not take away from the victory.
“The way it ended, it showed a great deal of toughness and just more than anything, a will that they were not going to break at that particular point,” Anders said.
He also said he knew Washington State was going to come and fight back after their tough loss to UA earlier in the week.
Senior forward Kali Bennett blocked a shot that denied the Cougars a chance to tie the game.
She then ran to the other side of the court and hit a free throw to increase the Sun Devils’ lead.
“Kali has just been solid this entire year,” Anders said. “Her senior year has been what a senior year should be. Her consistency from game one to this particular game and onward as we go forward, you’ve got to love.”
Earlier in the game, the Sun Devils pushed their lead when Earl and redshirt junior Janae Fulcher found their shooting touches and started draining shots.
Earl made a couple shots early in the game when the ASU offense was stagnant, and Fulcher got the hot hand early in the second half.
Fulcher made three buckets in a row to push the Sun Devils’ lead to 17 points. She said when a player gets hot like she did, the team tries to put the ball in that player’s hands.
“We don’t want to force it, per se,” Fulcher said. “If they have a good look at the basket and they’re calling for it, give them the ball. They’re the ones putting the ball in the basket.”
Earl and Fulcher led the team in scoring with 11 points each.
Anders said Fulcher always step up in the right situations.
“Janae is a gamer,” Anders said. “In Colorado, when Kali fouled out and we needed her, there’s Janae. In other games, when it’s time to produce, Janae finds that extra gear that we are needing at that particular point.”
Anders said he is proud of the seniors for responding so well in a year of adversity. He said the team is sitting at 18 wins, right where they want to be.
Reach the reporter at ehubbard@asu.edu
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