(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
In a game where Arizona State would find itself in a huge hole if they lost, the Sun Devils came out and looked like a completely different team, knocking off Colorado 78-72, their first win in Pac-12 play. There were 19 lead changes and the game was tied 11 times.
Senior forward Shaquille McKissic scored 16 points on 7-11 shooting for the Sun Devils, and Buffaloes senior guard Askia Booker led the way with 21 points.
With six minutes left in the half, senior forward Shaquielle McKissic threw down an alley-oop dunk courtesy of senior guard Bo Barnes, followed the next possession Barnes hit a three-pointer from the corner.
Despite another four-minute scoring drought for the Sun Devils following their two momentum-building plays, ASU was able to close the half bringing momentum into the locker room with a three from McKissic, and a thundering dunk as time expired.
Booker and sophomore guard Jaron Hopkins combined for 23 of Colorado’s 28 points at halftime.
The second half was just as back-and-forth as the first, and McKissic kept his foot on the gas as well.
At about the 13-minute mark, McKissic had what may have been his most impressive dunk of the year, putting 6-foot-9 freshman forward Tory Miller on a poster with a one-handed jam off a backdoor cut.
After multiple three-pointers from Barnes, ASU found themselves leading 65-60 with 3:37 remaining in the game.
Gerry Blakes and freshman guard Tra Holder extended the lead with free throws in the final two minutes, and despite some late threes from Colorado, the deficit was too large and ASU got itself back on track with a huge win at home to get the first victory in conference play.
Player of the game: Shaquielle McKissic
This is a no-brainer. The man played out of his mind. Any time ASU needed a play to get them going on either end of the floor, McKissic found a way to get above the rim and throw down one of his signature rim-rocking dunks, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds.
Stat of the game: 20 assists
What ASU was so good at in the beginning of the year was sharing the ball and letting their unselfishness create opportunities. Today we saw that with 20 assists on 26 made shots.
Biggest disappointment: Free-throw shooting
ASU shot 67 percent for the game, and even shot pretty poorly down the stretch. Luckily, the Sun Devils got enough done off the line to make sure it wouldn’t come down to a point or two making a difference.
What’s next?
ASU has a five day break and the will travel to Berkley to take on Cal Thursday, January 22.
