Arizona State women’s basketball limited Missouri to almost half of its scoring average Saturday for a 50-39 WNIT consolation bracket win.

The Tigers (9-13) came in averaging 74.7 points but could never gain any traction against ASU, scoring 19 in the first and 20 in the second in Fort Worth, Texas.

ASU (12-11) never trailed after 8:31 in the first quarter but also could not pull away until 7-0 run in the fourth boosted its lead to double digits (40-30) for the first time.

Taya Hanson made a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth, shooting 4-of-7 overall from long range for 12 points. Freshman Jaddan Simmons led ASU with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

“We just came back prepared and really knew what we had to do to win this game,” Simmons said. “We played much smarter.”

ASU lost 48-36 to Rice on Friday after leading by one point going into the fourth quarter.

Against Missouri, the Sun Devils had a 17-10 edge in the fourth quarter similar to some early-season non-conference games when they came up with enough offense late to pull away for a win.

“When this team stays positive, they find a way to win and find a way to score,” ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne said. “We got some turnovers and gave it right back and we kind of just said it’s all good and kept playing.”

ASU led 10-6 after the first quarter, 23-19 at halftime and 33-29 after the third quarter.

Missouri did not make a 3-pointer until 2:55 left in the third, going 2-of-11 overall on treys. The Tigers shot 38.6 percent from the field, better than ASU’s 34.7, but committed 16 turnovers leading to 12 ASU points.

ASU will play one final consolation game at 2 p.m. Monday against Houston (16-8). The Cougars lost 71-63 to San Francisco on Friday then advanced by no contact over New Mexico to face the Sun Devils.

ASU is assured of no worse than a .500 season and with a victory Monday would finish with a winning record for an eighth consecutive season. 

“We played with our hearts today,” Hanson said. “It was a full team effort, everyone was working their butts off. We were playing great team defense, getting our offensive boards and hitting shots like we know we can do. I’m really proud of our team’s effort.”

Simmons said the WNIT games are “very important. We want to end the season on a high note because next year we’re going to come back and make the (NCAA) Tournament. No matter what game we’re playing, we’re always trying to win, and that’s what we’re going to do Monday.”

More: Rice women’s basketball dominates fourth quarter for WNIT win over ASU

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8053. Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe.

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