Arizona State Women’s Basketball has a monumental weekend

Goliath was taken down twice this weekend by the Arizona State Women’s Basketball team. In a matter of a couple days the Sun Devil ladies beat the #2 ranked Oregon Ducks and the #3 Oregon State Beavers. It was monumental for the program. It was also the first time since 2010 that a unranked team beat two top five programs in successive games.

On Friday night the Sun Devils used a furious comeback to put the Ducks to rest. That was a lost opportunity for the Ducks due to the fact that they were up 12 and seemingly in control.

In a blink of eye the Sun Devils took control by keeping the Ducks scoreless and hitting three point shots in bunches.

On Sunday afternoon Oregon State came to town looking for the sweep of the Arizona schools. What the Beavers ended up getting was their first loss of the season. The Beavers also lost an opportunity to be possibly ranked number one.

Ja’Tavia Tapley scored 14 points for the Sun Devils. Robbi Ryan and Reili Richardson added 10 points a piece for Arizona State to put the Beavers away 55-47.

The game started off with both teams struggling from the field. However, the struggle really continued for the Beavers from the field.

Oregon State, who dropped their first game of the season shot 32% from the field. What was even more atrocious was their three point shooting. The Beavers shot 2-20 (10%) from three point land.

It wasn’t like the Beavers were getting bad looks and bad shots. Oregon State was getting decent looks, but the ball was just not going in. The moans and groans of frustration for the Beaver faithful who showed up were easily heard. When the ball finally fell through the basket for the sixth point of the game I could hear Beaver fans say “finally.”

It was that kind of afternoon for the Oregon State Beavers.

On the other hand, the Sun Devils were showing a very stingy defense and an unusual substituting pattern. Every few minutes head coach Charli Turner Thorne would substitute an entire new five onto the court. It kept bodies fresh for the Sun Devils who were fighting some injuries and sickness.

Heading into the fourth the quarter the Sun Devils led 39-32. If you were the Beavers you would consider yourself lucky to be only down seven.

Oregon State did get the score tied late in the game at 45, but the Sun Devils held the Beavers scoreless the last couple of minutes of the game for the 55-47 victory.

Even with the number three ranking for Oregon State, the Sun Devils were the better team on Sunday afternoon.

“We have a lot of great teams, including us, in our conference.” Sun Devil head coach Charli Turner Thorne mentioned.

Once Coach Thorne came in for the post game press conference it was apparent she had been doused with water. She even mentioned to the television camera guys that they could move back so as not to get the total look of her. She was also wearing a baseball cap backwards due to her hair looking a bit matted.

After beating both the highly ranked Oregon schools she’ll take the soaked look.

“Both of them are great programs, but so are we.” Coach Thorne said.

The rankings will look a bit different on Monday because the top three teams lost over the weekend. Arizona State will certainly get ranked after these impressive wins.

Next week:

Oregon State will be at home against the Bay Area schools.

Arizona State will go on the road to take on the Washington schools.