ASU Women’s Basketball: Sun Devils begin Pac-12 play against USC and UCLA

After going 3-0 in the first three games of the season, Arizona State women’s basketball will begin Pac-12 play this weekend.

The Sun Devils will host the USC Trojans at 5 p.m. today at Desert Financial Arena.

“They’ve got really dynamic guards and we need to take care of the ball. Controlling the boards is a key for us every game, limiting teams to one shot and getting multiple shots ourselves,” coach Charli Turner Thorne said.

Sophomore guard Endyia Rogers will be a player that ASU has to watch out for in this matchup. Rogers recorded 15 points, six assists, and seven rebounds in the Trojans’ first game of the season against Loyola Marymount.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., the UCLA Bruins come to Tempe.

Michaela Onyenwere averaged 18.9 points and 8.5 rebounds in the 2019-2020 season. In the Bruins’ first game this season against Cal State Fullerton, Onyenwere recorded 22 points and eight rebounds.

“I would say Onyenwere is one of the best players not just in the conference, but in the country,” said Turner Thorne. “Jayde [Van Hyfte] has actually done a really good job on her the last couple years, and we won’t have Jayde.”

Preparing for conference play has been difficult for the Sun Devils since it is also final exam week.

“To add to everything, we are in finals week,” Turner Thorne said. “It’s a little bit crazy, so it will be nice to get through finals after this weekend and just focus on basketball.”