(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
In what turned out to be an exciting game down the stretch in Tempe, the Arizona State Sun Devils squeezed out an 80-73 win over the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Sophomore guard Tra Holder led the way for ASU, scoring 18 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists.
ASU led for most of the first half, taking control of the game with great offensive execution. Five different Sun Devils had two or more field goals in the first half. The balanced offense gave ASU a 41-34 lead going into halftime.
After the Sun Devils started the second half hot and gave themselves a lead as big as 12, the Lumberjacks clamped down on defense and pulled themselves back into the game.
The Lumberjacks kept their deficit to single digits and cut down the lead to as low as three with 1:06 left in the game. Following a stop by Stephen F. Austin, Holder made the play of the game on the defensive end.
With ASU up 73-70, Holder sped down the court to contest a fast break layup by Lumberjack guard Trey Pinkney. Holder forced the miss and then drew a technical foul heading to the basket on the other end.
After fouls by Stephen F. Austin, free throws by Holder and Atwood sealed the game and the third straight win for the Sun Devils.
Player of the Game: Tra Holder
When the Sun Devils need him the most, Holder answers the call. Despite turning the ball over six times in the game, Holder maintained his composure and kept ASU from melting down in critical moments of the game.
His 18 points tied with Atwood for the team-high and his eight rebounds led the team. In the absence of leading rebounder Savon Goodman, Holder did what his team needed in order to win.
Not only did Holder lead the Sun Devils in rebounds for the game, he came up with the crucial stop in the final minute that would have cut the lead to just one. In every area that the Sun Devils needed him, he was there.
Biggest Concern: Turnovers
Stephen F. Austin leads all Division I basketball teams in turnover margin at +8.5 and it showed. The Lumberjacks forced 17 turnovers and hassled ASU all day around the perimeter. Stephen F. Austin scored 12 points off of costly mistakes by the Sun Devils.
The turnovers are what kept the Lumberjacks in the game in the second half. ASU struggled to get the ball past half court at times and this led to the Sun Devil lead dwindling from 12 in the second half to as low as three points.
Unsung Hero: Willie Atwood
Senior forward Willie Atwood quietly had an excellent night for the Sun Devils. He dropped in 18 points and played a big part in holding off the comeback by the Lumberjacks in the second half.
Atwood did most of his damage from the free-throw line, where he went an impressive 10-for-10 shooting for the game. His ability to draw fouls, along with going a respectable 2-for-4 from three-point range, was crucial to securing an ASU win.
Stat of the Game: 49 percent shooting
For the second straight game, ASU has shot very well from the field. After topping 48 percent just twice in their first 10 games, the Sun Devils have done it back-to-back against Houston Baptist and now Stephen F. Austin. Only one starter shot under 50 percent for the game.
ASU started the season not shooting very well but have improved as time has gone along and are now scoring at a reasonable pace. They are showing continued progress and are now shaping up to be one of the better scoring teams in the Pac-12 this year.
What’s Next?
The Sun Devils will face California State University, Bakersfield in their next game at Wells Fargo Arena on Monday, Dec. 28.
