March 5, 1998
TEMPE, Ariz.-- Paced by 14 points from sophomore forward Marie Philman, 23rd-ranked UCLA rolled to its fifth straight victory with an 80-62 defeat of Arizona State Thursday night at the University Activity Center.
With the win, the Bruins raise their record to 19-7 overall and 14-3 in the Pac-10, while ASU falls to 10-16 (6-11 Pac-10).
ASU senior forward Stephanie Freeman scored 15 of her game-high 17 points in the second half as the Sun Devils outscored the Bruins 41-34 in the final 20 minutes. Freeman hit a three-pointer and followed with a layup to bring ASU to within 14 points at the 5:36-mark, but the Sun Devils did not inch any closer the rest of the way.
Instead, the Bruins countered with a 10-3 run to take a commanding 21-point lead (80-59) with 1:10 left in the game. ASU junior Michelle Tom hit a three-point basket to make the final score 80-62.
Despite the Sun Devils' second-half surge, ASU could not overcome its 25-point haltime deficit. UCLA led 10-4 at the 16:06-mark and then held ASU scoreless for four minutes. The Bruins put together a 25-5 run to pull ahead 35-9 with 5:26 left in the first half. ASU's Kristine Sand and Spring Steed drained three-pointers as the Sun Devils scored 12 points in the final five minutes of the first stanza. UCLA led 46-21 going into the lockerroom.
Other double figure scorers for the Bruins included sophomore forward Maylana Martin and sopohmore point guard Erica Gomez with 12 points apiece. Sophomore Carly Funicello came in off the bench to add 10 points and a team-high tying six rebounds.
Freeman paced ASU, followed by Tom with 12 poins and a game-high six assists. Sand and Junior Kisha White led the Sun Devils on the glass with six boards each.
UCLA outrebounded ASU 40-36 and shot 52.4 percent from the field (33-of-63) to the Sun Devils' 38.2 percent. ASU committed 30 turnovers, including 17 in the decisive first half.
The Sun Devils are back in action Saturday night when they host USC (11-15, 6-11) at 7 p.m. in the UAC for their season finale.