Box Score
TEMPE, Ariz. — Kali Bennett scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Arizona State University to an 89-56 exhibition win over Fort Lewis College today at the Wells Fargo Arena.
The NCAA Division I Sun Devils, members of the Pac 10, rolled to a 48-20 halftime advantage thanks to a hot hand from the field (.545, 18 of 33 field goal attempts). The Skyhawks, on the other hand, were ice-cold in the first half (.308, eight of 26).
“Too big, too strong, too fast. Before we settled in and played our game, it was already out of hand,” said sixth-year FLC head coach Mark Kellogg. “We had a nice little run going there for a little bit in the second half, cutting the lead to 18 or 19.”
The shooting fortunes turned in the second stanza, with the Skyhawks heating up (.619, 13 of 21) and the Sun Devils cooling off (.366, 15 of 41).
“But you can't beat anyone when you give up 27 offensive rebounds and commit 27 turnovers,” said Kellogg.
FLC was outrebounded 49-24.
Fort Lewis, the defending NCAA Division II runners-up, was paced by junior forward Dana Schreibvogel and sophomore reserve guard Katerina Garcia, who scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. Schreibvogel also led FLC in rebounds with six. Freshman guard Erika Richards went three-of-five from long distance to finish with nine points.
The Skyhawk skipper saw plenty of things to be happy with.
“Dana played really well and got it going,” said Kellogg. “And Katerina had some nice penetrating drives that ended with an and-one. Mary Rose [Paiz] and Christine Groh played well and battled inside.”
The Skyhawks opened their season with three exhibition games against NCAA Division I opponents, going 1-2 on trips to Utah and Arizona. FLC defeated Utah Valley 82-71 on Wednesday before losing to Brigham Young 85-58 on Thursday.
“We tested ourselves, obviously, this week,” said Kellogg. “We needed to get these kids some game experience and see what we're made of. We're defining some roles. I think we're in a good spot.”
The Skyhawks, ranked No. 12 in last week's USA TODAY ESPN Division II women's basketball preseason poll, open their regular season at 5:30 p.m. Saturday against Eastern New Mexico in Whalen Gymnasium.
