Senior’s return sparks ASU women by Creighton
Jamie Ruden returned Friday for the first time in six weeks and instantly made Arizona State women’s basketball better.
The 6-2 senior forward/center scored 11 points in eight minutes in a 70-55 win over Creighton at Desert Financial Arena. She put in nine consecutive points for the Sun Devils over the final 2:01 of the third quarter, a stretch that reinforced her versatility with three layups and a 3-pointer.
Ruden played the first two games then was out for nine (since Nov. 10) because of a foot injury that kept her in a boot. Her return not only helped ASU close out nonconference play with a six-game win streak and 10-2 record but brought the
Amount of time in Friday’s game in which ASU trailed.
Sun Devils to full 13-player strength for the first time since preseason practice began.
“I’m just excited to be back on the court with my teammates and to feel the support from everyone,” Ruden said. “Obviously it was pretty hard to get injured right at the beginning of the season. It’s been a little bit of a grind to stay positive so it feels good to be back on the court and have fun with everybody.”
Guard Robbi Ryan said, “It’s so nice to have her (Ruden) back. She’s obviously a big post presence. She knows everything from our offense and our culture so it’s nice to have another senior back out on the court.”
ASU never trails
ASU broke on top 9-2 and never trailed against Creighton (8-3), which came in ranked No. 7 nationally in the ratings percentage index.
The Bluejays were without starting guard Tatum Rembao due to what appeared to be a left leg injury suffered during practice Thursday. She averages 11 points and is the assists leader so her absence was felt.
Still, the Sun Devils led by as many as 14 points (22-8) in the second quarter and by double digits for the final 17:27.
Creighton with within 10 at 46-36 late in the third before Ruden went on her scoring binge to make it 55-38 going into the fourth quarter.
“How about Jamie Ruden, instant offense as always,” ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne said. Ja’Tavia Tapley, who has been starting in Ruden’s absence, “doesn’t have that power that Jamie has.
“You play a team like that that wants to go small ball against us. Now we can put Jamie in and take advantage of it. That depth in the post in going to be critical for us in conference.”
Ryan, Van Hyfte in double figures
Senior guard Robbi Ryan led ASU with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Her four-point play in the third quarter followed by an Eboni Walker layup and Jayde Van Hyfte corner 3-pointer boosted the lead to 44-29.
Van Hyfte, a sophomore forward, finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
ASU, one of the nation’s top rebounding teams, had a 41-27 edge on the boards with 5-8 guard Kiara Russell pulling eight, tied for her career high.
Senior guard Reili Richardson had six points and eight assists and was a game high plus 27 in her 24 minutes (Van Hyfte was plus 20).
Elger leads Creighton
ASU limited Creighton’s leading scorer, guard Jaylyn Agnew, to 12 points, 6.5 below her average.
Senior guard Olivia Elger, back after missing two games with injury, led the Bluejays with a career high 24 points. She was 3-of-7 from 3-point and 9-of-12 on free throws.
Creighton has wins over No. 25 (coaches) West Virginia and Nebraska and lost by seven points to No. 21 South Dakota.
“We clearly aren’t peaking yet, which is great because it’s too early,” Turner Thorne said. “But we’re starting to figure things out offensively a little bit.”
Ruden said, “We’re getting more connected and figure out what it takes to come together. As long as we can peak with that by the end of the year, that’s the definition of a good season.”