Women's hoops defeats New Mexico State

March 18, 2010

Redshirt freshman forward <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/fulcher_janae00.html">… Fulcher</a> (18 points, 7-11 FGs) and freshman center <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/burke_joy00.html">Joy Burke</a> (14 points, 5-6 FGs) combined for 32 points to lead Arizona State to an 84-61 win over New Mexico State in the first round of the 2010 Women's National Invitation Tournament.<separator></separator>Fulcher and Burke were both part of an ASU starting lineup that featured five freshman, including four players - Burke, Fulcher, (redshirt freshman) <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/mann_deja00.html">Deja Mann</a> - G and (redshirt freshman) <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/parsons_haley00.html">… Parsons</a> - who were making their first career start.<separator></separator>In the end, the Sun Devils (18-13) ended up accounting for season highs in points (84), steals (17) and made free throws (28). In addition, ASU held commanding advantages in rebounding (49-33), bench points (46-16) and second-chance points (17-5).<separator></separator>Four Sun Devils had six or more rebounds, led by senior forward <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/murphy_kayli01.html">K… Murphy</a> who had seven, including four on the offensive end.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils raced out to a 15-6 lead and never looked back as they scored a season-high 45 first-half points to take a 16-point halftime lead, 45-29. Junior forward <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/tobin_becca00.html">Be… Tobin</a> (nine points) and senior guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/orsillo_danielle00.htm… Orsillo</a> (eight points) combined for 17 points during the first 20 minutes. Both Tobin (13 points) and Orsillo (12 points) would end up finishing the game in double figures.<separator></separator>The Aggies (18-14) would get no closer than 14 points the rest of the game as the Sun Devils used a 19-0 run over a five-minute stretch to take their largest lead, 81-48, with 6:51 left in the game.<separator></separator>Aggie junior guard Jasmine Lowe scored a game-high 20 points to lead New Mexico State's attack.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils will host either Pepperdine or BYU in the second round next week at Wells Fargo Arena. The date and time of the game will be announced later this week.<separator></separator>Notes<separator></separator>• ASU started all five freshmen on its roster vs. New Mexico State - <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/mckinney_sabrina00.htm… McKinney</a> - G, (redshirt freshman) <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/parsons_haley00.html">… Parsons</a> - G, <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/mann_deja00.html">Deja Mann</a> - G, (redshirt freshman) <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/fulcher_janae00.html">… Fulcher</a> - F and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/burke_joy00.html">Joy Burke</a> - C. It was the first career start for Parsons, Mann, Fulcher and Burke. McKinney had started six other times prior to Wednesday's game.<separator></separator>• ASU had its highest scoring total of the season (84 points - previous high 82 at Yale on Nov. 19) and its highest first-half point total of the season (45 points - previous high 44 points at Oregon on Feb. 13).<separator></separator>• With five assists on Wednesday, McKinney has had 11 assists in ASU's last two games. She also had a career-high six rebounds vs. New Mexico State.<separator></separator>• With 12 points on Wednesday, senior guard <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/orsillo_danielle00.htm… Orsillo</a> now has 1,370 points in her career. She needs five more points to pass Molly Tuter (1994-97) for third place on ASU's all-time list.<separator></separator>• With the victory over New Mexico State the Sun Devils advance to the second round of the WNIT where they will face either Pepperdine or BYU who play tomorrow night in Provo, Utah. The Sun Devils will host next week's second round game (date and time TBA).

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