ASU women win fourth straight game

BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Dymond Simon scored 10 of her game-high 15 points in the second half as Arizona State won its fourth consecutive game, defeating South Dakota State 63-52 on Thursday.
 
Janae Fulcher added 10 points while guards Markisha Patterson (nine points, eight rebounds) and Tenaya Watson (seven points, eight rebounds) combined for 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Sun Devils (7-2), who outrebounded the Jackrabbits 37-34.
 
For the second time in as many games, the Sun Devils made a season-best six 3-pointers in addition to shooting a season-best 50 percent (6 for 12) from 3-point range.
 
As has been a consistent theme during its current winning streak, ASU continued to be dominant on the defensive end, limiting the Jackrabbits (4-6) to a season-low shooting 33 percent from the field. The 52 points South Dakota State scored were its fewest in a home game since the 1986-87 campaign.
 
The Jackrabbits made only 14 field goals but were able to stay in the game thanks in large part to a 21-of-30 effort from the free-throw line. The Sun Devils, meanwhile, had taken only seven free throws in the first 35 minutes of the game before going 6 for 7 in the final 5 minutes.
 
ASU led the entire second half but found itself threatened when Jackrabbit guard Jill Young hit a 3-pointer to cut the Sun Devil lead to 53-51 with 5:48 remaining.
 
Young