Women's hoops wins third straight over Colorado State
Led by Dymond Simon's 14 points, the Arizona State women's basketball team won its third consecutive game on Saturday, defeating Colorado State 72-56.
Kimberly Brandon scored 11 points and Janae Fulcher added 10 for Arizona State (6-2), which had season bests in field goal percentage (.463), 3-point field goals (6) and 3-point field goal percentage (.374). On the defensive end, meanwhile, the Sun Devils forced 23 Colorado State turnovers, which they converted into 23 points.
ASU's defense came out and set the tone early as it forced Colorado State (5-4) into scoreless periods of 5:47 and 3:38 during the first 20 minutes. Brandon (7 points), Simon (6 points) and Fulcher (6 points) combined for 19 of ASU's 36 first half point in helping the Sun Devils lead by as many as 17 points on their way to a 36-21 halftime lead.
Another scoring drought induced by the Sun Devil defense, this one lasting 5:37, in the second half enabled the Sun Devils to put the game out of reach as they built their lead to as many as 22 points.
Brandon, who came into Saturday's game having made 68 percent of her shots in ASU's last three games, continued to hold the hot hand as she made all but one of her six field goal attempts while adding five rebounds, two assists and one block.
Also continuing to display her trademark accuracy was Fulcher. ASU's field goal percentage leader who came into Saturday's game shooting 60 percent in ASU's last four games, Fulcher made half of her eight shot attempts against the Rams.
Simon, who has now led or tied for the team lead in scoring six times this season, scored six of her 14 points from the line while also tying for the team lead with a pair of 3-pointers.
The Sun Devils return to action on Thursday when they go on the road to take on South Dakota State (7 p.m. CT). The game can be heard live on The Fan AM 1060.