University of Washington
Arizona State
Huskies Can't Complete Rally Against Sun Devils
February 17, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2011
Postgame Press Conference: Jackson, Morton & Rogers | 
Photo Gallery
SEATTLE - After an inspiring split at the Bay Area schools, the Huskies weren't able to cash in on the momentum against Arizona State, dropping a 71-63 decision to the Sun Devils at Alaska Airlines Arena on Thursday.
"We had a great opportunity, a tremendous opportunity to showcase what we did down in the Bay area here today and we simply didn't," Coach Tia Jackson said.
Becca Tobin led all scorers with 21 points and 10 rebounds, almost single-handedly carrying ASU for stretches during the game. The lanky, 6-5 post hit 9-0f-11 shots from the floor, buying space at times with a variety of shot fakes and spin moves. Kristi Kingma carried the mail for the Huskies offensively, scoring 18 points. But the junior took 20 shots from the floor, hitting just five, as the Sun Devils defense forced her into a litany of difficult looks.
In her penultimate home game, Sarah Morton scored 10 points and dished out three assists. It was her four-point play in the second half that helped the Huskies rally from a 12-point deficit, but the Dawgs could pull no closer than two points at 46-44. The senior agreed with her coach in noting her team is capable of better performances.
"It's a tough pill to swallow, just knowing that this wasn't Husky basketball," Morton said.
The Huskies as a group shot just 36 percent from the field, compared to 48 percent for the Sun Devils. That shooting percentage was the most the Huskies have allowed an opponent all season.
Dymond Simon added 16 points for ASU. The RS senior point guard hit three 3-pointers in the first half to pace the Sun Devils. She also helped ASU close the game out at the free throw line, hitting 5-of-7 from the stripe.
As was the case in the team's first matchup down in Tempe, the Sun Devils were the stronger team on the glass, out-rebounding the Huskies 35 to 28.
Following the game, the Huskies preferred to turn the focus to Arizona, who comes into Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Saturday in the team's home finale. The Wildcats are coming off a 78-61 win over Washington State in Pullman.
Despite the setback, the Huskies have not lost allowed hope to evaporate. The coaching staff refuses to let that happen.
"We have to keep reminding them who we are," Jackson said. "We have to keep believing in who we are."
