Richardson tops school assists mark, No. 22 ASU women win

Feb 16, 2020, 09:32 pm

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Reili Richardson scored 17 points and became Arizona State's all-time assists leader as the No. 22 Sun Devils held off Washington 72-68 on Sunday.

Richardson's record-breaking assist came on a layup by Ja'tavia Tapley with just over four minutes left and Jayde Van Hyfte added ASU's final field goal with 3:28 to go. Amber Melgoza scored the Huskies' final eight points over the last minute to get Washington within two with 15 seconds left but Iris Mbulito made two free throws with 13 seconds left and a contested Melgoza layup attempt missed the mark.

Richardson, a senior, finished with six assists giving her 539 in her career, one more than Briann January (2006-09), a Sun Devils assistant coach and an 11-year WNBA veteran now with the Phoenix Mercury.

Tapley scored 13 points and Jamie Ruden 12 for ASU (18-8, 8-6), which swept the season series.

Melgoza scored 18 points and Darcy Rees and Missy Peterson 10 each for Washington (12-13, 3-11), which held the lead for about three minutes in the first quarter before a 9-0 run put ASU up for good.

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