The ASU women’s basketball team forfeited two Pac-12 games against Utah and Colorado on Jan. 13 and Jan. 15.
The forfeits were caused by player injuries. The Pac-12 and ASU released a statement shortly before the forfeits occurred.
“We feel terribly for our team that wants to compete, but due to the medical circumstances we are not able to,” said Ray Anderson, vice president for University Athletics. “Admittedly this is a very unusual situation, one that requires us keeping the health of both injured and healthy players as the main focus.”
Among the injured players are freshman guard Jaylah Robinson, junior center Imogen Greenslade, junior guard/forward Maggie Besselink, sophomore guard Morasha Wiggins and senior guard Isadora Sousa.
Women's basketball head coach Natasha Adair also released a statement regarding the forfeits.
“We came to the conclusion after meeting with our doctors and medical staff we will not be making the trip to Utah and Colorado this weekend,” Adair said in the statement. “We understand the games will be forfeited, but the reality is there was no decision to be made. With few healthy scholarship players time to heal is our only option.”
The forfeited games are considered losses according to a statement from the Pac-12 and while the Sun Devils will tack two losses onto their record, Utah and Colorado will not add any wins to their records from the forfeits.
“The contests are considered forfeits for Arizona State in the Conference standings and league wins for Utah and Colorado, according to the Pac-12 Conference Handbook’s Administrative Policies,” Pac-12 said. “Per NCAA policy, there will be no adjustment to overall records."
ASU has lost seven games, two losses coming from the forfeits. The Sun Devils currently do not have any conference wins.
The Sun Devils will look to recover in the rivalry matchup against UA on Jan. 22. UA has an overall record of 14-4 and a conference record of 4-3. The last matchup between the Sun Devils and the Wildcats on Dec. 29 in Tucson ended in an 84-66 loss for the Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils have historically been successful against the Wildcats at home, with a 22-2 all-time home record. However, the Sun Devils are currently on a two-game losing streak against the Wildcats.
ASU will have the opportunity to split the season series with UA and improve its home record against UA in Tempe on Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. MST.
Edited by Kathryn Field, Jasmine Kabiri and Grace Copperthite.
Reach the reporter at sstaple5@asu.edu.
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