ASU women's basketball sets up rematch against Houston to open 2021 Cancun Challenge
Arizona State women's basketball sets its sights on the Cancun Challenge in Mexico over Thanksgiving weekend, taking on Houston (2-2), No. 6/8 Baylor (3-1), and Fordham (3-1).
The three-day tournament will be broadcast on KDUS-FM 1060.
Arizona State (2-2) vs. Houston (2-2)
Site: Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
When: 11:30 a.m. Thursday
Last meeting: The teams played on last March 22 in the region consolation final of the 2021 Postseason WNIT, with Houston ending ASU's season with a 50-48 victory.
About the Sun Devils: ASU is coming off an 82-53 win over Marist College on Sunday. The Sun Devils showed off hot shooting in the win, knocking down 13 3-pointers, one shy of tying the school record for most in a game. Senior guard Jade Loville leads the 3-point game with a 52.6 shooting percentage (10-for-19), while leading the offense with 14.5 points per game. The rebounding game improved in the last game, with ASU outrebounding their opponent for the first time in the season. Maggie Besselink leads the board game with 7.8 rebounds per game, followed by Mael Gilles with 6.0 rebounds per game.
About the Cougars: Houston is coming off an 89-60 win over New Mexico in it shot 12 3-pointers. The Cougars' two losses came against Stephen F. Austin and UT Arlington. Houston returns six starting players including its leading scorer, sophomore Laila Blair (12.0 ppg). Tatyana Hill is the leading rebounder with 10.3 rebounds per game, along with 9.3 points per game. Last season, the Cougars posted a 17-8 record and finished third in the American Athletic Conference with a 12-5 mark. The program made its third straight postseason when they advanced to the WNIT First Round in 2020-21.
Arizona State (2-2) vs. No. 6 Baylor (3-1)
Site: Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
When: 9 a.m. Friday
Last meeting: The teams met on Nov. 11, 2018, in the "Showdown on the Rez," with the Bears prevailing 65-59. The Bears have won all three games in the series.
About the Bears: Senior forward NaLyssa Smith headlines the No. 6 Bears after becoming the first Baylor player to win the WBCA/Naismith Katrina McClain Award last season. Smith was named the Big 12's Preseason Player of the Year and currently averages a double-double (21.8 ppg, 12.0 rpg). Three other players average in double figures in scoring: grad transfer Jordan Lewis (15.8 ppg), senior Queen Egbo (11.8 ppg), and sophomore Sarah Andrews (11.3 ppg). Andrews averages 4.7 assists per game, while Egbo has 2.0 blocks per game. Baylor is coming off its 11th straight Big 12 title and is currently in its first season under head coach Nicki Collen. This season, the Bears' only loss came against No. 3 Maryland in a tight 79-76 game.
Arizona State (2-2) vs. Fordham (3-1)
Site: Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
When: 9 a.m. Saturday
Last meeting: Fordham played at Arizona State's holiday tournament in 2001 and fell to the Sun Devils by 24.
About the Rams: Fordham is coming into the tournament fresh off one of the program’s biggest wins after defeating Michigan State 71-68 Sunday. Through two weeks of the 2021-22 season, the Rams already have had two Atlantic 10 Players of the Week in senior Asiah Dingle (22.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and senior Kaitlyn Downey (9.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg). Downey came off a hot performance against Notre Dame and Michigan State where she averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks in the slate. The Rams also have two other players in double figures in scoring with junior Anna DeWolfe (14.3 ppg) and graduate student Kendell Heremaia (13.7 ppg). One area the Sun Devils will have to watch out for is Fordham’s board game as the Rams average 34.5 rebounds per game with a whopping 57 offensive rebounds out of 138 (41.3 percent). Freshman Millie Prior leads with 13 offensive rebounds.
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State women's basketball sets up rematch against Houston
