Late 11-4 run propels ASU

[url='/photoGallery/060129wbb.php'][img1][/url]When junior forward Breanne Watson hit a short jumper with 3:38 remaining in Saturday's game against No. 19 Arizona State, Washington took the lead for the first time in more than ten minutes.

It didn't, however, take it for good.

Down 58-57, the Sun Devils (16-5 overall, 7-4 Pac-10) closed the game with an 11-4 run that ended any Husky hopes for an upset. Amy Denson put Arizona State up 63-58 with a leaner as the shot clock expired with 44 seconds left, and the Sun Devils sank four free throws en route to a 67-61 win.

"Well, we climbed right back into the game. I think we were down three, and we were real excited," Watson said. "We thought we could come back, but unfortunately we did not execute on offense down the stretch, and they got a bunch of offensive rebounds off their shots, and I think that was what helped them to win."

The Huskies (14-6, 7-4) fell apart before halftime, making just one field goal in the last 8:55 of the half. Arizona State closed it on a 12-6 run to tie the teams at 34.

The 24 turnovers the Dawgs forced were meaningless, as they couldn't overcome poor shooting (below 33 percent). Husky coach June Daugherty said the tough Arizona State defense had something to do with her team's woes, but she chalked the loss up to poor play.

"I thought it was a little bit of both," Daugherty said. "Obviously they lead the Pac-10 defensively for a reason. They keep great pressure on the basketball, and they rotate a lot of players and try to keep fresh players out there.

"At the same time, it is not something we have not seen before. To me, it was more our lack of execution than what ASU was doing."

Senior guard Kristen O'Neill had another strong outing for the Dawgs, leading four players in double figures with 15 points. Watson and Cameo Hicks added 12 points for the Dawgs and Andrea Plouffe added 10.

The result brings the two teams into a tie in the Pac-10. Daugherty said it is up to Washington to make sure the Husky slide is momentary.

"I think it depends on how we respond," Daugherty said. "If we are going to learn from it and be disappointed in our lack of execution on both ends of the floor, and get in the gym the next practice and get after it, it will not be a step back. But, if we expect it and just move on, then it will be."

Watson asserted that the Dawgs are going to do all they can to reassert themselves for next week's game with cross-state rival Washington State.

"I think we're just going to need to regroup and get back in the gym and get ready for WSU," Watson said. "That is all we really can do. We cannot dwell on it, because it will only affect us."