ASU women's basketball hosts Arizona in Annual Pink Out Game on Friday

February 06, 2008

The Arizona State women's basketball team will look to match its longest winning streak of the season when hosts in-state rival Arizona on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Currently on a four-game winning streak, ASU (15-7, 9-2 Pac-10) will try and keep pace in the Pac-10 with Stanford (19-3, 9-2 Pac-10), which is currently tied with ASU for second place, and Cal (19-3, 10-1 Pac-10), which leads the Sun Devils and Cardinal by a game.<separator></separator>ASU is coming off a one-point win (52-51) over Oregon on Saturday in which it had to fend off the Ducks in the final seconds to preserve the win. <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/january_briann00.html"… January</a> turned in a solid all-around effort against the Ducks, accounting for 14 points (6-12 FGs), four assists and five steals. Also coming through with key performances were <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/lacey_lauren01.html">L… Lacey</a> (13 points) and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/dosty_sybil00.html">Sy… Dosty</a>, who scored nine points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had a single-game career-best four blocked shots, including one on Oregon's final shot attempt with two seconds left to seal the win.<separator></separator>Arizona (9-13, 3-8 Pac-10) has won its last two contests and three of its last four overall. The Wildcats are led by senior guard Ashley Whisonant, who began the week third in the Pac-10 in scoring (16.3 ppg).<separator></separator>This will be the second meeting of the season between ASU and Arizona. The Sun Devils took the first game in Tucson 75-65. ASU's win was keyed by a 54-percent shooting effort. Contributing to ASU's final shooting pertange were January (7-7 FGs) and Dosty (6-6 FGs), who combined to make all 13 of their field goal attempts and finish with 19 and 13 points, respectively. Also scoring in double figures for ASU was Lacey, who finished with 15 points.<separator></separator>Friday's game will be ASU's second annual "Pink Out" game, which is aimed at raising breast cancer awareness. Started in 2007, ASU Women's Basketball made a commitment to the community to spread awareness about breast cancer by inviting all those affiliated with ASU, as well as the surrounding community, to attend a women's basketball game at a reduced admission price. In addition to the game, representatives from local organizations such as Susan G. Komen will be available to discuss with fans what their organizations can do to spread awareness.<separator></separator>PROMOTION<separator></separator>All fans wearing pink to Friday night's game against Arizona can purchase general admission tickets for $2. Fans can also receive the $2 general admission rate by bringing in a Yoplait Yogurt lid.<separator></separator>The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a pink carnation courtesy of Phoenix Flowers. In addition ASU Women's Basketball Wells Fargo Posters will also be given away.<separator></separator>RADIO<separator></separator>ASU's game vs. Arizona can heard live on KDUS 1060 AM and on the sundevilsportsnetwork.com (subscription-based service). Coverage of the game will begin at 6 p.m. Valley veteran broadcaster Jeff Munn is in his fourth year as the voice of ASU women's basketball.<separator></separator>WHAT TO LOOK FOR<separator></separator>• ASU is 34-4 in its last 38 regular season Pac-10 games going back to the middle of Pac-10 play in 2005-06. The Sun Devils closed the 2005-06 season by winning their final nine Pac-10 games. ASU set a school record last season by winning 16 of 18 Pac-10 games. The Sun Devils were off to their best ever conference start after winning their first five Pac-10 games before losing to Cal (Jan. 17) and Stanford (Jan. 20) at home. They have since won their last four games.<separator></separator>• ASU is 19-1 in the second half of Pac-10 play since the 2005-06 season.<separator></separator>• The Sun Devils are 37-5 in Pac-10 home games since the 2003-04 season.<separator></separator>• ASU has won seven of its last eight games against Arizona, including the last five in a row. ASU's only loss during that span came in 2005 when it fell to the Wildcats 56-49 in Tucson (Jan. 26, 2005).<separator></separator>• The Sun Devils are ranked in the top 3 of the Pac-10 in three-point FG pct. defense (1st, .221), rebounding defense (t-1st, 32.7 rpg), assists (2nd, 17.05 apg), assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd, 0.88), scoring defense (3rd, 57.9 ppg), scoring margin (3rd, +7.5), rebounding margin (3rd, +3.5), blocked shots (t-3rd, 3.27 bpg), field goal percentage (3rd, .440) and steals (3rd, 9.41 spg).<separator></separator>• In the first half of their last five games the Sun Devils have outscored their opponents by an average of more than seven points (29.2-21.8) compared to their first six games of Pac-10 play when they were outscored 31.3-28.8. While games are almost never won in the first half, a good start has certainly not hurt the Sun Devils this season as they have won 11 of the 12 games in which they have led at the half.<separator></separator>• ASU has outrebounded nine of its 11 opponents in conference play. In its last four games ASU has had an average rebounding margin of +10.3, including a +6.0 advantage on the offensive glass.<separator></separator>• <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/january_briann00.html"… January</a> has had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 27-9 in ASU's last six games. January currently leads the Pac-10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78) and is second in assists (4.77 apg).<separator></separator>• Currently with 331 career assists, January needs nine more to move past former Sun Devil Cassandra Lander (1980-83) for eighth place on ASU's all-time list. In the steals category (currently 10th place with 174) she needs nine more to pass <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/boardman_betsy00.html"… Boardman</a> (2000-05) for ninth place.<separator></separator>• Junior center <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/dosty_sybil00.html">Sy… Dosty</a> (28 blocks this season) needs four more blocks to move past <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/holt_rachel00.html">Ra… Holt</a> (31 blocks in 1997-98) for eighth place on ASU's all-time list for most blocks in a single season.<separator></separator>• <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/noe_jill00.html">Jill Noe</a> (1,120 career points) needs 15 points to move past Jovonne Smith (1989-92) for 11th place on ASU's all-time scoring list. Also one of ASU's all-time top three-point threats (130 career three-point FGs) Noe needs five three-point FGs to pass <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/boardman_betsy00.html"… Boardman</a> (2000-05) for third on ASU's all-time list. Noe is also currently 10th on ASU's all-time assists list with 327.<separator></separator>SERIES HISTORY VERSUS ARIZONA<separator></separator>Arizona State leads the all-time series with Arizona 41-25, including a 22-11 advantage in games played in Tempe. ASU has won seven of the last eight meetings against Arizona. ASU's only loss during that span came in 2005 when it fell to the Wildcats 56-49 in Tucson.<separator></separator>In the most recent meeting last month <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/january_briann00.html"… January</a> came off the bench to lead ASU with 19 points (7-7 FGs) in a 75-65 ASU win. January did not start after not practicing all week with a knee injury. <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/lacey_lauren01.html">L… Lacey</a> scored 15 points and had seven rebounds while Tucson native <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/dosty_sybil00.html">Sy… Dosty</a> added 13 points (6-6 FGs).<separator></separator>The series with Arizona is the longest for the Sun Devils and dates back to the 1975-76 season, the first year of varsity women's basketball at Arizona State (although the teams played another seven games before that first varsity season with UA winning five of seven). ASU snapped a 14-game losing streak to the Wildcats in 2000-01 with its first season sweep of the U-of-A since 1991-92. The Sun Devils won 18 of the first 20 meetings, including a streak of 16 games that encompassed eight full seasons (1978-79 to 1985-86). ASU's 83-59 win in Tucson on Dec. 22, 2005 snapped an eight-game winning streak by the home team.<separator></separator>NOTES FROM THE SEASON<separator></separator>• The Sun Devils have already had two players named Pac-10 Player of the Week -- juniors posts <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/thompson_kirsten00.htm… Thompson</a> (Dec. 10) and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/dosty_sybil00.html">Sy… Dosty</a> (Dec. 31).<separator></separator>• The 42 points Oregon State scored against ASU on Jan. 31 represented the 13th time since the start of last season that ASU has held an opponent under 50 points.<separator></separator>• The Sun Devils had 24 assists in their win over Oregon State on Jan. 31. It's the 17th time going back to the start of last season that ASU has recorded 20 or more assists in a single game. ASU is currently ranked No. 12 in the nation in assists (17.0 apg).<separator></separator>• ASU has held the opposition to 20 or fewer points in a half nine times this season.<separator></separator>•Sixteen of ASU's 22 opponents have shot 25 percent or less from three-point range.<separator></separator>• Guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/noe_jill00.html">Jill Noe</a> is the only ASU player to have started every game this season.<separator></separator>• ASU's 10 blocks against California (Jan. 17) not only tied the single-game high in the Pac-10 this season, but also fell one block short of tying the program record which was accomplished by the 1992 squad. As a team, the Sun Devils need 28 more blocks to break the school single-season record of 99 set by last year's squad.<separator></separator>• The Sun Devils have had four games this season in which four players have scored in double figures.<separator></separator>• In ASU's 66-42 win over UC Santa Barbara (Nov. 17), <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/noe_jill00.html">Jill Noe</a> tallied 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists and narrowly missed becoming the first Sun Devil to record a triple-double since Ryneldi Becenti in 1992. For Noe, it is the third such time she has flirted with the feat. Last season she recorded 17 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in a win over Northern Arizona and during her freshman season she posted 17 points, nine assists and nine rebounds in a win over Denver.<separator></separator>• <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/dosty_sybil00.html">Sy… Dosty's</a> 15 rebounds vs. UCLA were the most for a Sun Devil player since <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/thompson_kirsten00.htm… Thompson</a> had 15 vs. Nicholls State on Nov. 15, 2006.<separator></separator>• Since the start of the 2006-07 season, the Sun Devils are 33-2 when they have outrebounded their opponents. The only exceptions came this season when ASU fell to Auburn 75-69 in the championship game of the Verizon Wireless ASU Classic (held a 40-39 edge in rebounding) and when it lost to Stanford 60-56 (ASU held 39-35 rebounding advantage).<separator></separator>HELP IS ON THE WAY<separator></separator>Without question, one of the biggest challenges facing ASU coming into the 2007-08 season was figuring out how it would compensate for the loss of All-Pac-10 performers <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/johnson_aubree00.html"… Johnson</a> and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/westerberg_emily00.htm… Westerberg</a>. In addition to being responsible for a combined 23.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 2006-07 the duo also gave ASU a strong inside presence on both ends of the floor.<separator></separator>Enter junior transfers <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/dosty_sybil00.html">Sy… Dosty</a> and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/lacey_lauren01.html">L… Lacey</a>. Biding their time since they last played a meaningful game in the spring of 2006, Dosty and Lacey were two players who were very eager to get on the floor and help the Sun Devils ascend to the top. Both players got to take a bit of a test drive with their teammates in real competition during ASU's trip to Italy last May in which the Sun Devils squared off against four different teams from around the country.<separator></separator>Originally a native of Tucson, Dosty spent her first two collegiate seasons at the University of Tennessee where she was part of a Final Four team her freshman year. Lacey, who transferred from the University of Minnesota, was also part of two squads that went to the NCAA Tournament.<separator></separator>Thus far in Pac-10 play Lacey and Dosty have combined for 24.5 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.<separator></separator>Lacey is currently leading the team in scoring (13.0 ppg, 15.2 ppg in Pac-10 games) and is second in rebounding (6.1 rpg). She led ASU with a (then) career-best 19 points in its win over Iowa on Nov. 23 and would surpass that total with 20 against Auburn (Dec. 2). She would once again exceed her single-game career-best with a 23-point performance at Oregon (Jan. 3). The 23 points represent the most points scored by a Sun Devils this season. Lacey, who earlier this season had a streak of 13 consecutive games in which she scored in double figures, led ASU with 21 points in its win over Oregon State (Jan. 31), her fourth game with 20 or more points this season. Lacey has averaged 16.3 points while shooting 54.2 percent from the field during ASU's current four-game winning streak.<separator></separator>The leader in field goal percentage during her two seasons at Tennessee, Dosty is currently shooting 53.5 percent from the field (third in the Pac-10). In late December Dosty averaged 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 57.9 percent in ASU's come-from-behind victories over UCLA (Dec. 28) and USC (Dec. 30). The Tucson, Ariz., native averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in the second half of both games in helping the Sun Devils overcome an eight-point deficit against the Bruins and an 11-point deficit against USC. Dosty was recognized for her performances against the Bruins and Trojans in being named the Pac-10's Player of the Week. In Pac-10 games Dosty is third on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg) and leads the squad in rebounding (6.9 rpg). Currently with 28 blocked shots this season, Dosty needs four more blocks to move past <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/holt_rachel00.html">Ra… Holt</a> (31 blocks in 1997-98) for eighth place on ASU's all-time list for most blocks in a single season.<separator></separator>JANUARY PLAYS WITH MARCH STATE OF MIND<separator></separator>This season ASU junior guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/january_briann00.html"… January</a> has shown time and again the type of play that has made her one of the top players in the Pac-10 Conference. January, who was one of five players named to the preseason All-Pac-10 team, currently leads the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78), steals (2.45 spg) and free throw percentage (.864) and is second in assists (4.77 apg) while ranking 15th in the Pac-10 and second on ASU in scoring (11.5 ppg).<separator></separator>Last season January earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors in helping lead ASU to a school record 31 wins and its first Elite Eight appearance in school history. In 2006-07, the 5-8, Spokane, Wash., product finished third in the Pac-10 in steals (2.1 per game), fourth in assists (4.0 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.67), and sixth in free throw percentage (81.7). A starter in 34 games, January concluded her sophomore campaign first on the team in both assists and steals and second in both scoring (10.2 points per game) and free throw percentage.<separator></separator>This season January has scored in double figures in 15 times in 22 games, including a 22-point performance against Texas (Dec. 22), which tied her career best. In ASU's 75-65 win at Arizona (Jan. 12), January turned in a performance that was nothing short of remarkable. After sitting out the entire week of practice with a knee injury January came off the bench to lead ASU with 19 points while connecting on all seven of her field goal attempts and both free throws, while also adding five assists, one block and one steal.<separator></separator>January has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 27-9 in ASU's last six games in addition to averaging 11.5 points per game and making nearly 86 percent (18-21) of her free throws during that span.<separator></separator>Currently with 331 career assists, January needs nine more to move past former Sun Devil Cassandra Lander (1980-83) for eighth place on ASU's all-time list. In the steals category (currently 10th place with 174) she needs nine more to pass <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/boardman_betsy00.html"… Boardman</a> (2000-05) for ninth place.<separator></separator>SUN DEVILS WORK THROUGH EARLY SEASON INJURIES<separator></separator>When the announcement came down on Dec. 26 that junior guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/orsillo_danielle00.htm… Orsillo</a> would miss the remainder of the 2007-08 season because of a knee injury, it capped an unlucky first two months of the season in which Sun Devil players missed a combined 17 games because of injuries.<separator></separator>Orsillo was originally diagnosed with a bone bruise in her left knee one week after scoring a career-best 21 points in ASU's season opener at North Carolina (Nov. 11). She would go on to miss ASU's next 10 regular season games before it was determined that she would miss the rest of the season. In 2006-07 Orsillo scored in double figures 16 times and was one of four Sun Devils to play in all 36 games.<separator></separator><a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/simon_dymond01.html">D… Simon</a>, a member of the Pac-10's All-Freshman Team last season, was limited early in the season as she returned from a torn ACL she suffered in January, 2007. She was having a strong outing against Texas Tech on Dec. 13, scoring 11 points in 12 minutes before being forced to leave the game after aggravating her knee injury. She would return to the game for two minutes before leaving again. Simon would go on to miss ASU's next two games, including the Sun Devils' 62-51 loss to Texas (Dec. 20). Simon returned in time for the start of conference play and her presence on the floor has had a big impact. She scored a season-best 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting in ASU's 69-60 come-from-behind win at Oregon State (Jan. 5). She added a career-high six assists in the rematch with the Beavers on Jan. 31.<separator></separator>Junior post <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/dosty_sybil00.html">Sy… Dosty</a> injured her knee earlier this fall and was forced to miss all of ASU's preseason practices. She averaged only 12 minutes in the first four games as she was slowly worked into the rotation. Through 11 games of Pac-10 play Dosty is third on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg) and first in rebounding (6.9 rpg). She was named Pac-10 Player of the Week after averaging 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 57.9 in ASU's come-from-behind victories over UCLA (Dec. 28) and USC (Dec. 30).<separator></separator>Junior guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/engelbrecht_kate00.htm… Engelbrecht</a> suffered a hand injury during the first preseason practice and was forced to miss the rest of ASU's preseason workouts and its first two games. She scored a season-high eight points in ASU's win over Fresno State on Dec. 17 and had a career-best seven rebounds in ASU's win over Washington State on Jan. 26. She has connected on 46 percent of her shots (5-11) in ASU's last four games.<separator></separator>Senior guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/pariseau_reagan00.html… Pariseau</a> missed ASU's games against Auburn (Dec. 2) and UC Davis (Dec. 9) after injuring her ankle early in ASU's win over Gonzaga on Nov. 30. She returned to action on Dec. 13 at Texas Tech and made an immediate impact, scoring nine points on 4-4 shooting. Although she was healthy for ASU's contest vs. Texas (Dec. 20), Pariseau would only play 22 minutes and was limited for much of that time after absorbing a blow to the head early in the game. Then, midway through the second half, <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/noe_jill00.html">Jill Noe</a>, who came into the Texas game averaging 14 points in her previous five games, was forced to leave the game because of an ankle injury.<separator></separator>ORSILLO FEATURED IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED<separator></separator>Arizona State junior guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/orsillo_danielle00.htm… Orsillo</a> was featured in "The Year in Sports" issue (Dec. 31-Jan. 7) of Sports Illustrated for her community involvement. Orsillo, among other community endeavors, has spent more than 150 hours of her time the last two years at The Arc of Tempe, a recreation center for mentally disabled adults. Orsillo, whose brother Mark has Down syndrome, engages in various activities with others at The Arc, including cooking, playing video games and shooting hoops. The story touched on the friendship that has developed between Danielle and one of The Arc's regular attendees, Daniel Strelitz, who also has Down syndrome. Orsillo is currently sidelined for the season with a knee injury she sustained during the first week of the season.<separator></separator>WHAT'S NEXT FOR CHARLI?<separator></separator>With its 67-49 win over Bowling Green in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2007 NCAA Tournament the Arizona State women's basketball team clinched its first ever appearance in the Elite Eight of the "The Big Dance." It was the latest `first time ...' for the Sun Devils under head coach <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/turnerthorne_charli00… Turner Thorne</a>, who continues to build on what is the most successful period in the program's history. Since the 2004-05 season the Sun Devils are 95-29, including a 6-3 record in NCAA Tournament games the last three seasons.<separator></separator>In 2005-06 Turner Thorne had the Sun Devils in the Top 10 of both polls for the first time in 22 years. If the figure `22 years' sounds familiar it's because in 2004-05 Turner Thorne led the Sun Devils to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 22 years. After leading the Sun Devils to a 25-7 in 2005-06 Turner Thorne was recognized being named the Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 8 Coach of the Year.<separator></separator>Now in her 12th season in Tempe, Turner Thorne has more than established the Sun Devils as one of the teams to watch on an annual basis not only in the Pac-10 Conference, but also across the country. In fact, since the 2000-01 season the Sun Devils have won the second-highest number of overall games (172) in the Pac-10 Conference.<separator></separator>WHAT'S COMING UP?<separator></separator>The Sun Devils head to the Bay area to take on California (Thurs., Feb. 14, 7 p.m. PT/8 p.m. MT) and Stanford (Sat., Feb. 16, 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT).<separator></separator>