WBB Faces No. 12 Texas on Turkey Day

THE GAME: Sun Devil WBB (4-1) vs. No. 12/11 Texas (4-0)
WHEN: Thursday at 6 p.m. MST
WHERE: UVI Sports & Fitness Center • U.S. Virgin Islands
WATCH: ESPN+ (Subscription required to watch)
RADIO: KDUS AM 1060 (Pregame coverage starts at 5:30 p.m. MST)
LIVE STATS: Click here

UP NEXT
The Sun Devil women's basketball team (4-1) concludes the opening month of play with a trip to the Virgin Islands where it will play three games in three days at the Paradise Jam: vs. No. 12 Texas (Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m. MST on ESPN+), vs. USF (Friday at 3:45 p.m. MST on ESPN+), vs. High Point (Saturday at 3:45 p.m. MST).
 
In their most recent outing, the Sun Devils had one of their best defensive performances in recent memory in a 72-40 win over Idaho State. The Bengals' final point total was the fewest given up by ASU since a 49-40 win over VCU on November 27, 2020. Trayanna Crisp led the Sun Devils with 17 points and six assists (zero turnovers), while Journey Thompson (12 points) and Maggie Besselink (10 points) combined for 22 points.
 
WATCH/LISTEN
All three of ASU's games at the Paradise Jam can be seen on ESPN+ (Note: a paid ESPN+ subscription is required to view the games). The games can also be heard on KDUS AM 1060 (pregame coverage starts 30 minutes prior to each game). Veteran broadcaster and the state of Arizona's 2010 & 2019 Broadcaster of the Year Jeff Munn is in his 20th season as the voice of ASU women's basketball. 
 
RANKINGS OF NOTE (AS OF NOV. 21, 2023)
• As a team, ASU leads the Pac-12 in free throws attempts per game (26.6/ 12th in the nation), is 2nd (34th in the nation) in free throws made per game (18.8/13th in the nation), is third in turnover margin (4.6) and turnovers forced per game (19.4) and 4th field goal percentage defense (33.4/42nd in the nation) and steals per game (10.4).
• Jaddan Simmons leads the Pac-12 lead in free throws made (33/3rd in the nation) & attempted (38/8th in the nation) and minutes per game (36.21/38th in the nation), is 3rd in steals per game (2.8), 7th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.57) and free throw percentage (86.8), tied for 13th in assists per game (3.6) and 19th in scoring (14.4 ppg).
• Trayanna Crisp is 6th in the Pac-12 in minutes per game (36.98), 9th in 3-pointers per game (2.0), 10th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.25), 12th in steals per game (2.0) and tied for 13th in assists per game (3.6).
• Kadidia Toure is 12th in the Pac-12 in offensive rebounds per game (2.8), and 19th in rebounds per game (7.2).
• Journey Thompson is 7th in the Pac-12 in offensive rebounds per game (3.0).
• Maggie Besselink is 14th in the Pac-12 in blocks per game (1.2).
 
SERIES NOTES VERSUS THE COMPETITION
• ASU will be looking for its first win vs. Texas in what will be the sixth all-time meeting. The most recent contest came in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. The host Longhorns came out on top 85-65.
• ASU won its only prior meeting vs. USF, 74-39 in 2000 in Tempe.
• Saturday's game between ASU and High Point will be the first between the two teams.
 
STATE OF PLAY
• ASU started the season 3-0 after home wins over UTSA (70-55 on Nov. 6), Montana State (75-62 on Nov. 10) and San Francisco (77-69 on Nov. 13).
• In the first half of their first three wins, ASU averaged 45.3 points & hit 49.5 pct of its shots. In the win vs. UTSA, ASU tied last season's highest point total in a half on its way to a 49-23 halftime lead. Against Montana State, ASU scored 30 points in the first quarter, representing the third time it has scored 30 or more points in a quarter under head coach Natasha Adair.
• In its loss at Grambling State (Nov. 16), ASU scored 32 points and shot 38.4 pct. in the first half while allowing Grambling State to score 45 points. It came back from 17 points down to tie before the Tigers hit game-winning 3-pointer in final seconds.
• ASU is averaging 22.2 ppg off the opposition's turnovers this season. It scored a season-high 31 points off turnovers at Grambling State (Nov. 16).
• ASU has allowed 11 or fewer points in a quarter seven times.
• After Montana State cut a 20-point deficit to four with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, ASU answered with a 10-0 run. They allowed the Bobcats to shoot just 17 percent (2-12) in the fourth quarter.
 
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• Jaddan Simmons has scored in double figures in 26 times in 32 games going back to the start of last season. Simmons needs 83 more points to reach 1000 for her career.
• In the last three games, Traynna Crisp is leading ASU in assists (4.0 apg), 3 -pointers (2.3 per game) and is tied for the team lead in steals with Simmons and Kadidia Toure (2.3 spg). In ASU's most recent game, Crisp scored a game-high 17 points and had a team-high six assists with zero turnovers.
• During that same stretch, Toure has averaged 14.7 ppg and 8.3 rebounds per game. She posted her first career double-double with career highs in points (22) and rebounds (14) to go with 3 steals vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13). She currently leads ASU in FG pct (50.0).
• Four players have started every game: Jaddan Simmons, Trayanna Crisp, Maggie Besselink and Toure. Jalyn Brown started the first two games and averaged 13.5 ppg before missing the next two due to injury. She returned to play in a reserve role vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19). Starting in her place in both contests and the most recent game was Journey Thompson. Against Montana State (Nov. 10), Thompson came off the bench to score 13 points and grab 12 rebounds for ASU's first double-double of the season. She added 12 points in her first start of the season vs. San Francisco and had another 12-point outing vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
• ASU has scored in double figures in every quarter of every game this season.
 
WELCOME BACK
Maggie Besselink and Morasha Wiggins have both provided the Sun Devils with significant contributions this season. What distinguishes them from the other returning players? Both missed all of last season due to injury.
 
Besselink, who had not played in a game since Feb. 6, 2022, was not only in the starting lineup in the season opener, but also played a major role in igniting ASU's offense after hitting back-to-back triples in the first quarter vs. UTSA. She scored 11 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to post her second career double-double at Grambling State on Nov. 16. She also scored 10 points in wins vs. both UTSA and Idaho State.
 
Wiggins made her Sun Devil debut in ASU's win over San Francisco (Nov. 13), scoring 8 points and hitting all 4 of her free throws. She is averaging 18.8 minutes per game in the 3 games she has played.
 
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Games against four teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight ASU's 2023 non-conference schedule.
• The Sun Devils will play 17 home games: eight non-conference and nine Pac-12 contests. ASU commences Pac-12 play – at home vs. Arizona on Dec. 17 – while still in the midst of playing their non-conference schedule. ASU's non-conference slate will conclude on Dec. 30 at home vs. Santa Clara.
• ASU will play 2023 NCAA Tournament participants Texas and South Florida and 2023 WNIT entry High Point at the Paradise Jam.
• The Pac-12 led all conferences with six teams in the AP Preseason Top 25: No. 4 UCLA, No. 5 Utah, No. 15 Stanford, No. 20 Colorado, No. 21 USC and No. 24 Washington State.
• The Sun Devils will appear on Pac-12 Networks at least 20 times during the 2023-24 campaign.
 
ALL-PAC-12 STANDOUT TYI SKINNER TO MISS 2023-24 SEASON
Although the Sun Devil women's basketball team's overall health is a 180-degree difference from last season, the squad was dealt a tremendous blow when Natasha Adair announced Oct. 4, 2023 that senior guard Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
 
Skinner, who last season earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches and All-Pac-12 recognition from media who cover the league, quickly established herself as one of top scorers in the Pac-12 and one of the most exciting players in the nation to watch in her first season in Tempe.
 
 In 2022-23, Skinner scored 20 or more points 15 times, including a career-high 29 points on two occasions. A starter in all 28 games, Skinner went on to average 19.3 points per game, the most by a Sun Devil since the 1988-89 season. She concluded her first campaign in the Maroon and Gold among the leaders in the Pac-12 in points per game (19.3/2nd/27th in the nation), 3-pointers per game (2.43 per game/2nd), minutes per game (36.59/3rd/29th in the nation), free throws made (79/3rd)  and attempted (91/4th), steals per game (1.71/5th), 3-point FG percentage (34.7/6th) and free throw percentage (78.1/8th).
 
PLAYER NOTES
#1 • Kadidia Toure • F • 6-3 • So. • Silver Spring, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing at James Madison as a freshman.
• Has started all 5 games and is averaging 14.7 ppg and 8.3 rebounds per game in her last three games.
• Posted her first career double-double with career highs in points (22)/rebounds (14) to go with 3 steals vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13).
• Currently leads ASU in FG pct (50.0). 
• Four-year varsity player for Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.). As a senior in 2022, the league's player of the year averaged 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks on her way to WCAC Player of the Year honors and first-team All-Met recognition.
 
#2 • Jaddan Simmons • G • 5-9 • Sr. • Houston, Texas
• Has started all 82 games she's played in her career.
• Simmons leads the Pac-12 lead in free throws made (33/3rd in the nation) & attempted (38/8th in the nation) and minutes per game (36.21/38th in the nation), is 3rd in steals per game (2.8), 7th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.57) and free throw percentage (86.8), tied for 13th in assists per game (3.6) and 19th in scoring (14.4 ppg)
• Has scored in double figures in 26x in 32 games going back to the start of last season and needs 83 points to reach 1000 for her career.
• Was named 2022 Preseason Pac-12 HM and at the conclusion of the season was named Pac-12 All-Defensive Team HM in 2023.
 
#3 • Tyi Skinner • G • 5-5 • Sr. • Washington, D.C.
• Was announced on October 4, 2023 that Tyi Skinner will miss the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
• Made an immediate impact in her first season as a Sun Devil, earning All Pac-12 recognition from media that cover the league and Pac-12 HM honors from the league's coaches for a season in which she started all 28 games and averaged the most points per game (19.2) in a season since 1988-89.
• Scored in double figures in 25/28 games, including 15 games w/20 or more points, and finished 2nd in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in ppg season.
 
#4 • Trayanna Crisp • G • 5-8 • So. • Goodyear, Ariz.
• In her first season wearing the Maroon and Gold, Crisp appeared in all 28 games, starting five of them.
• Has started every game this season and is averaging 11.4 ppg.
• In last 3 games, is leading ASU in assists (4.0 apg), 3 -pointers (2.3 per game) and is tied for the team lead in steals with Simmons and Kadidia Toure (2.3 spg).
• Scored a game- and career-high 17 points and had a team-high six assists with zero turnovers in ASU's win over Idaho State (Nov. 19).
 
#10 • Marina Radocaj • G/F • 6-2 • Fr. • Richmond, British Columbia
• Talented standout, who earned spots on Canada's U16 and U17 teams and had 3 rebounds vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Hit one of ASU's nine 3-pointers in its season-opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6).
• Member of the 2021 U16 Canadian Team that placed second at FIBA Americas. Radocaj averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the six games she played (all starts).
• Played in 5 games at the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup.
#11 • Maggie Besselink • G/F • 6-3 • Sr. • Kingston, Ontario
• After missing the 2022-23 season due to injury, made her return to the floor in 2023-24.
• Besselink, who had not played in a game since Feb. 6, 2022, was not only in the starting lineup in the season opener, but also played a major role in igniting ASU's offense after hitting back-to-back triples in the first quarter vs. UTSA.
• Scored 11 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to post her second career double-double at Grambling State on Nov. 16.
• Added 10 points vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
 
#12 • Treasure Hunt • G • 6-2 • Sr. • Chattanooga, Tenn.
• In her first season as a Sun Devil, played & started in 27 games and averaged 34.1 minutes (third on team), 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. Also made 28 3-pointers and had 22 blocks and 25 steals. Had career-high 24 points vs. Arizona on Jan. 22, 2023, and had career-best 15 rebounds at New Mexico on Nov. 20.
• Has played in every game and is currently averaging 5.6 ppg & 3.0 rpg.
• Posted season highs in points (9) and rebounds (5) in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Including two seasons at Kentucky, has started 57 of the 77 games.
 
#13 • Sandra Magolico • F • 6-2 • Jr. • Maputo, Mozambique
• Transferred to ASU after playing two seasons at New Mexico CC.
• Has played in every game this season.
• In 2019, competed for the Mozambique national team, playing in nine games and averaged 11.0 minutes per game.
• Started 28 of 30 games in 2022-23, leading New Mexico JC to a 26-6 record and a Round of 16 finish in the NJCAA WBB Championship.
 
#20 • Kiley Sours-Miller • C • 6-3 • Fr. • Surprise, Ariz.
• Playing for Dream City Christian, as a senior was ranked No. 10 in The Arizona Republic's Elite Girls 50 players in 2022-23.
• Scored more than 1,000 points in her career and led Dream Christian to the 2023 Girls Open Division state title.
• Averaged a double-double after playing first two seasons at Peoria Centennial, junior season at Phoenix Greenway and senior season at Glendale Dream City Christian.
 
#21 • Hanna Miller • F • 6-2 • So. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• The sister of incoming freshman Sun Devil Mallory Miller, transferred to ASU from Dodge City CC (Dodge City, Kan.) where she played in 23 games (3 starts) and averaged 11.3 minutes per game.
• As a senior in HS, teamed with Mallory to help lead Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record and a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
• Has played in 2 games and accounted for first points of career (4/1-1 FGs/2-2 FTs) in win vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
 
#22 • Journey Thompson • F • 6-3 • So. • McMurray, Pa.
• Played in 13 games (three starts) as a freshman before having season prematurely come to an end due to injury.
• Has played in every game and has started the last 3 contests.
• Scored 5 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and had 2 steals in ASU's season-opening win over UTSA (Nov. 6) and followed that with 13 points and 12 rebounds for ASU's first double-double of the season in win vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Scored 12 points in her first start of the season vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13) and had another 12-point outing vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
 
#23 • Jalyn Brown • G • 6-1 • So. • Baltimore, Md.
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing freshman season at Louisville. Played in seven contests for Louisville squad that went on to conclude its season in the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
• Had tremendous Sun Devil debut: Scored 16 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in ASU's season-opening win vs. UTSA (Nov. 6). Followed that with an 11-point outing vs. Montana State (Nov. 10).
• Missed games vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13) & at Grambling State (Nov. 16) before returning in reserve role vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
 
#24 • Mallory Miller • F • 6-4 • Fr. • Aberdeen, S.D.
• Has played in 4 contests and is averaging 11.7 minutes per game.
• Scored 4 points and tied for team lead in rebounds (7) in win vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
• The sister of ASU sophomore guard Hanna Miller, Mallory was named a KELOLAND Media Group All-Star Girls Basketball Player of the Year finalist and was nominated Miss Basketball 2023 for the state of South Dakota after posting per-game averages of 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
• Led Wolsey-Wessington to a 22-3 record an appearance in the state semifinals (its first appearance in the state tournament) and the state's top seed in 2023.
• As a junior, teamed with sister Hanna to help Aberdeen Christian to a 21-5 record & a berth in the Class B girls basketball tournament.
 
#25 • Adison Novosel • G • 5-11 • Jr. • Richfield, Ohio
• Transferred to ASU in 2023 after playing first two seasons at Saint Francis University where she appeared in 35 contests (25 starts).
• Played in season-opening win vs. UTSA (Nov. 6) and again vs. Idaho State (Nov. 19).
• After appearing in seven games off the bench as a freshman, started 25 of 28 games in 2022-23.
• As a sophomore, led Saint Francis with 29 triples and posted career highs in points (12) and 3-pointers (4) vs. Central Connecticut State (Jan. 28). Also pulled down a career-high six rebounds twice and snared a career-high three steals vs. Coppin State (Nov. 7).
 
#30 • Morasha Wiggins • G • 6-0 • Jr. • Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Transferred to ASU after playing her freshman season (2021-22) at North Carolina.
• Ranked 18th in the ESPNW Class of 2021 rankings, Wiggins was expected to be an impact player for the Sun Devils before suffering a preseason injury that forced her to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign.
• Played 23 minutes and scored 8 points and hit all four FTs in her Sun Devil debut vs. San Francisco (Nov. 13).
• Has averaged 18.1 minutes per game since making her debut.
 
#44 • Isadora Sousa • G • 6-0 • Grad. • Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Has played in 30 games with seven starts in her two seasons with the Sun Devils.
• Has yet to play due to injury.
• Has worked hard to come back from injury each of last two seasons and has proved to be an effective performer when on the floor.
• In 2022-23, scored a career high-tying points in consecutive games (at Stanford/Dec. 31 and at Cal/Jan 2) and had the second highest field goal percentage on the team, shooting 44.8%.
 
RECAPPING THE 2022-23 SEASON
Despite a spate of unlucky injuries to key personnel, the Sun Devils had several noteworthy accomplishments during Adair's inaugural season in Tempe. The accomplishments included...
• Starting 5-0 for the first time since 2002-03.
• Finishing the season No. 2 in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (12.3). Only ASU's 2017-18 squad averaged fewer turnovers per game (11.7) in a season.
• Even with all its injuries, ASU nearly pulled off three Top 25 upsets in the season's final five games: vs. No. 21 Colorado (62-70), vs. No. 4 Utah (69-74) and vs. No. 19 UCLA (70-81-OT) in the first round of the Pac-12
Tournament. After trailing the Bruins by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, the Sun Devils staged a furious rally to take a two-point lead in regulation before falling in overtime. The win would have been ASU's biggest comeback in school history.
• In their 75-73 win at Oregon State, the Sun Devils overcame their second-largest deficit in school history (17 points). The victory was also No. 175 of Adair's career.
• Individually, Sun Devil guards Jaddan Simmons (Pac-12 All-Defense honorable mention) and Tyi Skinner (All-Pac-12 honorable mention) comprised one of the most talented backcourts in the country. Both players earned Pac-12 honors as voted on by the league's head coaches. Skinner, who finished second in the Pac-12 and 27th in the nation in scoring (19.2 ppg), was also named to the media's 15-member All-Pac-12 team.