Women's basketball wins ASU Classic Championship
<p><a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/simon_dymond01.html">D… Simon</a> scored a game-high 18 points and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/brandon_kimberly00.htm… Brandon</a> notched her second consecutive double-digit rebounding effort (11) as Arizona State defeated New Mexico 55-40 in the championship game of the ASU Classic.</p><separator></separator><p>A stifling defensive effort proved to be the catalyst for the Sun Devils (5-2) on this day as they limited the Lobos (5-3) to 29 percent from the field, including a scant 20 percent (2-10) from 3-point range.</p><separator></separator><p>A pair of 14-2 runs - one over the last 3:23 of the first half and the other over the first 8:06 of the second half - helped the Sun Devils turn a two-point deficit (13-11) into a commanding 22-point lead (39-17 with 11:54 left in the second half).</p><separator></separator><p>Simon, who was named the tournament's MVP, personally accounted for 10 consecutive points over a 2:15 span during ASU's first big scoring run late in the first half.</p><separator></separator><p>After leading by as many as 24, the Sun Devils were never seriously threatened in the second half as the Lobos got no closer than 15 points.</p><separator></separator><p>Brandon, who had career highs in points (16) and rebounds (15) in ASU's win over Cal Poly on Friday night, continued to be a force on the glass as five of her 11 rebounds came on the offensive end.</p><separator></separator><p>Brandon was named to the ASU's Classic's All-Tournament Team along with teammate <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/watson_tenaya00.html">… Watson</a>, who scored five points, grabbed seven rebounds (five offensive) and had four steals against the Lobos. Watson averaged 6.5 steals for the weekend after tallying nine on Friday night (one short of tying the school record).</p><separator></separator><p>By holding the Lobos to 40 points, the Sun Devils improved to 40-0 since 2005 when they hold an opponent below 50 points.</p><separator></separator><p>The Sun Devils return to action next Saturday when they host Colorado State at 2:30 p.m.</p><separator></separator><!-- STORY AD BEGINS HERE --></p>