TEMPE, Ariz. | Jackson State opened its season with an early statement Monday, scoring the game's first eight points and building a nine-point first-quarter lead before falling to Arizona State, 84–41, at Desert Financial Arena.
How It Happened
Jackson State (0–1) set the tone defensively, holding the Sun Devils scoreless for the opening 3:45 while getting contributions from four starters during an 8–0 surge.
Taler Thornton opened the scoring with a jumper off a Camryn O'Neil assist before Joi Johnson added a fast-break layup. Cassidy Gladney followed with a 3-pointer, and Ne'vaeh Buntley's free throw pushed Jackson State's advantage to eight with 7:10 remaining in the first quarter.
After Arizona State broke through, Thornton answered with a 3-pointer at the 5:58 mark to give the Tigers their largest lead, 11–2. Thornton scored all five of her points during the opening stretch, while Buntley supplied two assists to help fuel the fast start.
The Sun Devils responded to move in front, but Jackson State stayed within striking distance. O'Neil's jumper with 2:03 left in the first quarter pulled the Tigers within 15–13 heading into the second period. JSU also held Arizona State without a 3-pointer on seven attempts in the opening quarter.
Gladney's free throw brought Jackson State within one early in the second. After the Sun Devils stretched their lead to seven, baskets from Buntley and Madison Eddings trimmed the deficit to 21–18 with 6:37 remaining before halftime. Arizona State closed the half ahead 34–21 and extended its advantage after the break.
Buntley led Jackson State with 12 points, connecting on a pair of 3-pointers while adding three rebounds, two assists and a steal without committing a turnover in 25 minutes. Johnson finished with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed three rebounds.
O'Neil contributed six points, a team-high four assists and two steals. Thornton paced the Tigers with four rebounds, while Rhianna Battles added three assists and two steals without a turnover.
Jackson State collected 13 offensive rebounds and converted those opportunities into 13 second-chance points. The Tigers also recorded eight steals and assisted on 12 of their 16 field goals.
Inside the Numbers
- Jackson State shot 29.1 percent (16-for-55) from the field and 4-for-13 (30.8 percent) from the free throw line.
- JSU opened on an 8–0 run and led by as many as nine points.
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Four Tigers scored during the opening eight-point surge.
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Buntley led the Tigers finishing with a team-high 12 points and shot 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
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Johnson converted 80 percent of her field-goal attempts finishing with eights points.
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O'Neil and Battles combined for seven assists and four steals.
- JSU finished with 13 second-chance points, 12 points in the paint, six bench points, six points off 12 ASU turnovers and four fast break points. second-chance points.
Up Next
The Tigers will take on Grand Canyon Wednesday in Phoenix. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
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