LOS ANGELES -- Katie Hempen scored 19 points, including the go-ahead basket in a 12-0 run to open the second half, and No. 12 Arizona State rallied to beat UCLA 68-56 Friday night.
Hempen's layup gave the Sun Devils their first lead since the opening seconds of the game. She had four points in the spurt that put them ahead for good, 38-33.
Hempen sandwiched 3-pointers around four straight points by Quinn Dornstauder, extending Arizona State's lead to 50-41.
The Sun Devils (23-4, 12-3 Pac-12) have won five of their last seven and can clinch a first-round bye in next month's league tournament this weekend. The top four teams receive byes. Elisha Davis added 10 points and seven assists.
Nirra Fields led the Bruins (10-16, 6-8) with 17 points. They have lost three in a row and seven of nine.
The Bruins came unglued to start the second half, when their seven-point lead quickly evaporated. They missed five shots in a row and had two turnovers as the Sun Devils scored every time down the floor.
Lajahna Drummer, who finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, scored consecutive baskets to draw the Bruins to 57-54 with 3:50 left. Kelli Hayes was called for an offensive foul, stalling their momentum.
Hempen's short jumper launched a game-ending 11-0 run that included five points by Promise Amukamara, whose free throw provided ASU with the game's only double-digit lead in the final 40 seconds.
The Bruins controlled the first half, when they shot 54 percent and their bench outscored the Sun Devils' reserves 20-6. UCLA raced to a 14-5 lead, its largest of the game, behind Fields' eight points.
The Sun Devils closed within two points on a 3-pointer by Hempen before the Bruins closed with a 10-5 run to lead 33-26 at the break.
TIP-INS
Arizona State: The Sun Devils got outscored 34-28 in the paint and 27-17 in bench points.
UCLA: The Bruins fell to 0-10 against ranked teams this season. ... Their last win over a ranked team was 82-76 against No. 10 Oklahoma on Nov. 24, 2013. ... They missed all four of their 3-point attempts.
UP NEXT
Arizona State: At Southern California on Sunday.
UCLA: Host Arizona on Sunday.
