TEMPE, Ariz. — The UALR women's basketball team outplayed No. 3 seed Arizona State on its home floor for 30 minutes Saturday night.
But an offensive drought over the final nine minutes allowed Arizona State to chip away at a sizable lead, and a banked-in three-pointer as the shot clock sounded changed momentum in Arizona State's 57-54 come from behind victory at Wells Fargo Arena.
After the Sun Devils had chipped what was a 39-23 Trojans lead to 50-44 nearing the two minute mark, Elisha Davis' banked-in three-pointer from about 27 feet made it 50-47 and kick-started their game-winning rally.
Ka'Nesheia Cobbins scored on UALR's next possession, but Arizona State got two baskets on the same possession immediately after.
Sophie Brunner scored inside, and after Shanity James was called for a foul away from the ball, Arizona State got the ball back. That turned into a Kelsey Moos basket. After a UALR turnover, Brunner scored again, then Moos, giving Arizona State a 55-52 lead with 26 seconds left.
Katie Hempen, who scored all six of her points in the final 7 minutes, made two free throws to give Arizona State (29-5) a 57-54 lead with 7:48 left. On UALR's final possession, Cobbins tried to get the ball to Alexius Dawn on the right wing, but her three-pointer was partially blocked as the Sun Devils finalized a 24-8 run over the final nine minutes to prevent UALR its first trip to the Sweet 16.
Instead, it will be Arizona State playing No. 2 Florida State on Friday in Greensboro, N.C. The Trojans' season ends at 29-5, a school record for overall victories.
Arizona State's rally covered the final 9:09 of the game, and came after Kiera Clark's three-point play gave UALR a 46-33 lead with 9:09 left.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.