(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
The Sun Devils opened up the season with a 94-74 victory over the Idaho State Bengals. The Devils looked as if they had a tough one on their hands, as the game was tied at 28 with just over six minutes left in the first half. Things then clicked for ASU, as they went on a 21-5 run to end the half, and ultimately put this game out of reach.
De’Quon Lake had himself a night, scoring 24 points on only 10 shot attempts. He also added seven rebounds, as well as three blocks. Fresh off his 50-point performance in an exhibition last week, Shannon Evans added 25 of his own, a team-high. Tra Holder was on triple-double watch in the second half, and almost accomplished the feat. The senior finished the night with 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
After a sluggish opening two minutes, Remy Martin checked into the game, providing an electric spark on defense, as well as knocking down the first basket of the Sun Devil season. With a four point deficit, the largest ASU faced all night, the Devils went on an 18-2 run. The Bengals quickly erased a 10-point deficit, tying the game at 28 with six minutes left in the first half. In a half full of runs, the Sun Devils ended the half on a 21-5 run, capped off by a fadeaway jumper from Remy Martin as the buzzer sounded.
The Sun Devils wasted no time in the second half, a quick 9-0 run gave them a 26-point lead. The lead got as high as 27, but Idaho State slowly chipped away at the lead. Cutting it down to 19, that was as close as the Bengals got for the remainder of the evening. The Sun Devils played great on both ends, and were able to maintain their lead, ultimately winning by 20 points.
In a game that was pretty similar in the stat book
, what ultimately won the game for the Devils was their ability to take advantage of points off turnovers and points in the paint. Arizona State outscored Idaho State by a combined 21 points in the respective categories.
The Sun Devils move to 1-0 on the season. Arizona State returns to action on Tuesday night, where they’ll take on the San Diego State Aztecs. Tip-off is at 7pm.
