ASU Basketball: Sun Devil defense stymies Loyola-Marymount, notch third win of season

(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)

Turnovers were the theme of the night once again for the Arizona State Sun Devils (3-0), as they gave the ball away 17 times against the Loyola-Marymount Lions. Despite a lack of ball security, the Sun Devils still pulled out the victory, 68-44.

On the offensive end of the floor, ASU struggled to find any type of rhythm in the first half going just 11-24 from the floor. However, the Sun Devil defense kept LMU from scoring as well, keeping the Lions shooting to an abysmal 29.6 percent from the field. At one point, ASU held LMU without a made shot for five minutes and 55 seconds.

“I was really pleased with our defensive preparation and execution,” ASU head coach Herb Sendek said. “I thought we played an outstanding defensive basketball game.

LMU hung around throughout the game led by freshman guard Simon Krajcovic’s nine points and three steals, but strong efforts from senior forwards Bo Barnes, Jonathan Gilling and Shaquielle McKissic kept the Lions at bay. The three combined for 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists. As a team, ASU assisted on 15 of their 21 field goals.

“I like how the ball is moving,” Sendek said. “The elephant in the room for us is our turnovers.”

Player of the Game: Bo Barnes

On a night that fielded many hesitant-looking Sun Devils on offense, Barnes stepped up to hit 11 points to go along with three assists. He also tied a career high, hitting three shots from beyond the arc. Coming in for a quiet Gerry Blakes, the sixth-year senior took advantage of his supplemented minutes.

“They were doubling the post, so it was getting me pretty open shots,” Barnes said.

Stat of the Night: LMU’s 28.1 shooting percentage

For as discombobulated as ASU’s offensive efforts looked, their defense forced a less-than-stellar LMU offense to look even worse. The Lions saw several stretches without a bucket, including starting the second half 2-for-7 from the field. Until ASU gets familiar on offense, their defensive abilities will have to keep them in a lot of games.

“Our defense has improved dramatically,” Sendek said.

Biggest Concern: Tra Holder

The freshman point guard has seemingly regressed in every game thus far. After posting four assists to just one turnover against Chicago State, Holder has picked up just three assists and racked up eight turnovers in ASU’s last two games. Even though the season is only three games old, it is clear that he’s going to go through growing pains as a freshman point guard.

But while the struggles are noticeable, he’s still receiving the vote of confidence from his teammates.

“I look at Tra, I learn from him believe it or not,” Sophomore guard Chance Murray said. “Me being in my second year, he played (point guard) his whole life.”

What’s next?

ASU travels to Kansas City, Missouri, to take part in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic where they will play Maryland on November 24. If they win, they will take on the winner of the No. 14 Iowa State and Alabama game on November 25.

You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com

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