ASU Men’s Basketball: Devils earn gritty win, take down St. Johns 82-70

(Photo: Tyler Rittenhouse/WCSN)

A late 11-0 run helped the Arizona State Sun Devils stay unbeaten on the season  after defeating St. Johns 82-70 at Staples Center on Friday evening.

Forward Romello White had another impressive game, leading ASU with 22 points and nine rebounds, just missing yet another double-double. Seniors Shannon Evans and Kodi Justice both knocked down three three-pointers and scored 18 and 15 respectively.

Things looked good early on. Vitaliy Shibel knocked down his first three to give the Devils an early lead. The sophomore knocked down two more three’s in the first half. He went on to finish with 11 points, a season high.

White got into foul trouble early on, but that didn’t stop him from scoring 10 points in just nine minutes of work.

“It was pretty challenging,” White said on working in the paint. “Every shot I put up, they challenged it. I felt like I had to go in stronger.”

The first 10 minutes of the first half was a back-and-forth battle. The second 10 minutes, all Devils. St. John’s was able to grab a 19-18 lead with 11 minutes left. It was at this time ASU hit the acceleration.

The Devils have shown throughout the season that they are capable of going on big runs, and quickly. Today was no exception. ASU at one point went on a 20-4 run, led by Justice and Evans. Their lead eventually got as high as 18.

For St. Johns, the big story in the first-half was the play of sophomore guard Shamorie Ponds. Averaging 20 points per game, Ponds had a relatively quiet first half. The Devils were able to hold him in check, as he only had eight points on 3-12 shooting.

ASU went cold to end the first half, not making a field goal in the final three minutes, and thus allowing the Red Storm to get within 12 at the half. However, all seven Devils that checked into the game in the first half scored a basket.

Coming out of the locker room, the Red Storm quickly went on a 6-0 run, cutting their deficit to only six. After surrendering their 18 point lead, the Devils answered right back. LA native Tra Holder, who was held without a field goal in the first half, responded with back-to-back buckets. Shannon Evans followed with a three, which gave ASU a 13-point lead.

A second 6-0 run by St Johns would get them back to within six points. After nearly six minutes without a field goal, Shibel grabbed an offensive rebound, and gave the Sun Devils some much needed points. However, the Red Storm wouldn’t go away, and got to within two with just over three minutes remaining.

“They’re kind of reflective of New York,” ASU head coach Bobby Hurley said on St. Johns. “Tough kids, hard nose, play hard, aren’t intimidated by anything. I think the New York fans are going to love watching them this year.” Hurley also said that he “anticipated a 40-minute game.” 

That’s certainly what he received. A Ponds layup cut it to one with over two minutes left. The Sun Devils answered back with a three-pointer from Kodi Justice, who has been “Mr. Reliable” all season.

“He’s got a knack for making big shots,” Hurley said. “He wants the moment, and he knocked it in there.”

Staples Center came alive after a bucket from White in the paint gave the Devils a six-point cushion with just over a minute remaining.  Over the course of the final 1:31, the Devils scored 11 unanswered points, securing their eighth victory of the season. 

The Devils won’t have much time to celebrate the win, as they hit the road for their first true road game of the season at Kansas on Sunday.

“It’s going to be something for our players to experience,” Hurley said. “We got to go to one of the most difficult places to play in college basketball, curious to see how it stacks up with Cameron Indoor.”

 

 

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post