Sun Devil WBB announces 2021 Non-Conference Schedule

TEMPE, Ariz. – Contests against six teams that qualified for postseason play last season highlight the Arizona State women's basketball team's 2021 non-conference schedule, announced by head coach Charli Turner Thorne on Thursday.
 
The Sun Devils will play six of their non-conference contests at home, including a tilt against 2021 NCAA Tournament participant Marist on Sun., Nov. 21.
 
The Sun Devil women's basketball team will be spending Thanksgiving weekend in Mexico where they will play three games in three days at the 2021 Cancun Challenge.
  
The Sun Devils will open play at the Cancun Challenge on Thurs., Nov. 25 with a Turkey Day contest against Houston (1:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. MST). The game will be a rematch of last season's WNIT contest won by Houston 50-48. Less than 24 hours later (11 a.m. EST/9 a.m. MST), the Sun Devils will take on perennial national power and 2021 regional finalist Baylor. ASU will then close out the Cancun Challenge on Sat., Nov. 27 when they face Fordham (11 a.m. EST/9 a.m. MST). This will be the fifth visit (2005, 2007, 2013, 2017) to the Cancun Challenge for the Sun Devils, who won all three of their games in 2013. Click here for more info on how you can join the Sun Devils in Cancun.
 
Other teams ASU will face that qualified for 2021 postseason play include BYU (NCAA Second Round) and Creighton (WNIT). Both contests will be on the road.
 
The Sun Devils open the season against Northern Colorado on Tues., Nov. 9.
 
Pac-12 pairings/weekends were announced earlier this month. More detailed information will come later this fall.
 
Season tickets for the 2021-22 campaign start at just $49 and are on sale now. Click here for more information or contact a Sun Devil ticket representative at 480-965-5812.
 
See below for more information on ASU's 2021 non-conference schedule.
 
Tues., Nov. 9 – vs. Northern Colorado / 14-12, 12-7 Big Sky in 2020-21 
ASU and Northern Colorado have split the four games they have played. This year's contest will be the first between the two teams since 1979.
 
Fri., Nov. 12 – vs. Minnesota / 8-13, 7-11 Big Ten in 2020-21
The Sun Devils will be looking for their first win against the Gophers in what will be only the third all-time meeting between the two squads. The two teams last got together in November 2019, a game won by Minnesota 80-66 in Minneapolis.
 
Wed., Nov. 17 – at BYU / 19-6, 13-3 WCC – NCAA Second Round in 2020-21
Although BYU leads the all-time series 5-4, the Sun Devils have won four of the last five contests. Only two of the prior meetings have taken place since 2000. BYU got the better of ASU in the second round of the 2010 WNIT, 61-53 in Tempe. In December 2019, Ja'Tavia Tapley's 11 points and career-high 18 rebounds helped the Sun Devils overcome a sluggish first-half performance and a 12-point, second-half deficit to top the Cougars 60-52 in Tempe and give head coach Charli Turner Thorne her 450th win at ASU.
 
Sun., Nov. 21 – vs. Marist / 18-4, 13-3 MAAC – NCAA First Round in 2020-21
This will be the second time ASU and Marist will be attempting to square off for the first time. The two teams were originally scheduled to meet in Tempe in December 2010, but a snowstorm prevented Marist from being able to travel.
 
Thurs., Nov. 25 – Cancun Challenge vs. Houston / 17-8, 12-5 AAC – WNIT in 2020-21
After never having met prior to last season, this will be the second time in eight months the Sun Devils and Cougars will square off. Last March, it was the Cougars edging the Sun Devils, 50-48 in the WNIT.
 
Fri., Nov. 26 – Cancun Challenge vs. Baylor / 28-3, 17-1 Big 12 – NCAA Elite Eight in 2020-21
The Sun Devils will be looking for their first win over Baylor in what will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two teams. In 2018, the Sun Devils nearly upset the fourth-ranked Bears in ASU's first ever 'Showdown on the Rez.' The game, which was contested at the BeeHoldzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz., was won by Baylor, 65-59.
 
Sat., Nov. 27 – Cancun Challenge vs. Fordham / 12-6, 8-2 Atlantic 10 – WNIT in 2020-21
ASU won the only prior meeting, 64-40 in 2001.
 
Sat., Dec. 4 – ASU Classic: ASU vs. UTSA / 2-18, 0-14 Conference USA in 2020-21
ASU has won the four prior meetings, most recently 74-41 in 2017 in Tempe.
 
Sun., Dec. 5 ASU Classic: ASU vs. Harvard / Did not play in 2020-21 due to COVID-19
This will be the first meeting between ASU and Harvard.
 
Sun., Dec. 12 – at Creighton / 9-10, 6-7 Big East – WNIT in 2020-21
The Sun Devils won the only prior meeting 70-55 in 2019 in Tempe.
 
Sat., Dec. 18 – at San Diego / 12-7, 9-5 WCC in 2020-21
The Sun Devils have won eight of the 10 all-time meetings, including last season's 64-55 win in Tempe. It will be the second time in as many years that the Erikstrup twins will be on opposing sides of the court – Sydney (ASU) and Laura (USD).
 
Tues., Dec. 21 – vs. UC Irvine / 15-9, 11-4 Big West
ASU has won the previous three meetings, most recently in 2008.