Homemade feast
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State coach Sherri Murrell watches Arizona State play basketball and she can only wonder what might have been if a few of the Sun Devils had come to WSU.
The 12th-ranked Sun Devils, who start four players who grew up within 100 miles of the Washington State campus, throttled the Cougars 66-41 Saturday afternoon.
“We recruited them all,” Murrell said. “Unfortunately, when I first came here, it was a situation where Arizona State was established up here.”
Jill Noe led Arizona State (21-3, 11-2 Pac-10) with 20 points and eight rebounds. Noe sank all seven of her field-goal attempts, including four 3-pointers, and both of her free throws.
Adriane Ferguson, the only other player with more than eight points, led Washington State (5-18, 1-12) with 10 points. The Cougars, who have lost 12 straight games, were held to season lows in points and field-goal shooting percentage (22.8).
Noe, Arizona State’s fifth starter from the Pacific Northwest, grew up outside Portland. Noe said she wasn’t aware of her perfect shooting day until assistant coach Joseph Anders approached her late in the game.
“Joe said, ‘You have a perfect shooting night’ before my two free throws. Thanks – no pressure,” Noe joked.
Ferguson (Mead High) played with and against several ASU players in high school and summer basketball.
“They’re phenomenal athletes, and besides athletic ability, they’re really hard workers, so it doesn’t surprise me they’re having the success they’re having,” Ferguson said.
Several dozen family members and friends were on hand to cheer on the Sun Devils.
“Our parent support is awesome,” said ASU point guard Briann January (Lewis and Clark High).
ASU’s other area products are Emily Westerberg and Reagan Pariseau, both Central Valley High, and Aubree Johnson, Post Falls High.
The Sun Devils, who have beaten WSU in six straight games and 19 of the last 20, led 35-15 at the half.
ASU has more wins this season than Washington State has posted in the past three seasons (19). The Sun Devils have won more Pac-10 games this season than the Cougars have in the past 10 seasons (10).