(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
After Arizona State seemingly had this game under control, the USC Trojans stormed back behind a 19-2 run to end ASU’s Pac-12 Tournament run by a score of 67-64.
ASU finished the game shooting 1-for-13 while the Trojans shot 6-for-7 the end the game. Freshman guard Elijah Stewart blew up for 27 points on 8-for-14 from the field, including 6-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Down by just one point with under 20 seconds remaining, ASU senior forward Shaquielle McKissic was blocked at the rim by USC’s Nikola Jovanovic to essentially end the game.
Both teams started cold from the floor on the offensive end with ASU going 3-for-12 and USC shooting 3-for-7.
ASU senior forward Bo Barnes sparked the Sun Devil offense when he checked in at 13:51, racking up eight quick points in his first two minutes on the court.
However, that offense would stall as freshman guard Tra Holder picked up his second foul and was forced to sit most of the first half, but the Sun Devils would still go on a 15-2 run in the middle of the first half to pull away from the Trojans, but they were unable to take advantage of that lead in the second half.
Player of the Game: Elijah Stewart
In a game where USC was searching for offense for most of the night, Stewart was the main constant. His six three-pointers were ever so timely down the stretch, and ASU had nobody on the defensive end step up to stop the freshman.
Stat of the Game: 1-for-last-13 from the field
ASU had a chance to pull away from USC early in the second half, but USC’s zone gave ASU’s offense trouble, forcing what was a flowing offense to become stagnant.
Biggest Concern: Post-season hopes
ASU had a chance to solidify a high-seed in the NIT Tournament with a strong campaign in the Pac-12 Tournament, but with the loss, those hopes are now up in the air.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com
