(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2) completed a string of four games away from Tempe on Tuesday with a 71-67 victory over the San Francisco Dons (7-2).
In a game that featured 18 lead changes, Arizona State appeared to be losing control of the game several times. However production from the Sun Devils’ returning starters pushed them over the edge.
The Sun Devils took control early the first half, continually outshooting the Dons. They converted their shots from the field at a 45.9 clip compared to San Francisco’s 31 percent. Romello White and Remy Martin led the way in the first half with 10 points each.
Arizona State maintained their slim margin for a majority of the first half, taking a five-point lead into the break. San Francisco would not allow the Sun Devils to pull away. The Dons played to their strengths as a team, involving multiple players in the offensive attack.
In the first half alone, San Francisco had eight different players get on the scoreboard. Guard Khalil Shabazz led the Dons with eight points and an assist in only eight minutes of action.
The second half sent rumbles underneath the feet of head coach Bobby Hurley and the Sun Devils as the Dons stormed out to a lead in the initial minutes. Lead changes became the story of the half, as Arizona State and San Francisco exchanged blow for blow.
The Dons ferociously fought late in the game, leading by three points with under seven minutes remaining. Hurley called a timeout seeking to have the Devils regroup in the hostile environment. After play resumed, Arizona State clamored down, never sacrificing the lead for the remaining seven minutes.
Out of the timeout, forward Taeshon Cherry converted a layup, creating the catalyst for ASU’s offensive surge. Free throws from Martin and Cherry, plus an eventual basket from White in the paint, put the game out of reach. White ended the game with 14 points on 6-of-7 from the field and 11 rebounds, marking his first double-double on the season.
Arizona State returns home to Desert Financial Arena to take on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns this Saturday at 8 p.m.
