ASU Men’s Basketball: Short-handed Sun Devils fall to USC 73-64

(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)

Despite an exciting end to the first half of the game, short-handed Arizona State Men’s Basketball (4-5) was unable to contain USC’s (8-2) efficient offense and were defeated 73-64 on Saturday night in Tempe.

With four key players once again missing for ASU, USC star freshman forward Evan Mobley’s 19 points and 13 rebounds led the way for the Trojans.

Although the Sun Devils carried the momentum from their late first half offensive burst, ASU couldn’t overcome the length and physicality of USC.

“We just didn’t have enough to finish,” head coach Bobby Hurley said. “I like our backbone the last two games. What we were up against, all the guys who we had unavailable, and then to be able to compete and have chances to win in the last two games is a good statement for us.”

The Trojans had been in control for almost the entirety of the first half, extending their lead to as much as 18 points. However, the last-minute offensive burst from the Sun Devils made the score 36-32 at halftime.

From 2:00 to 0:33 in the first half, ASU went on a 14-0 scoring run, reducing USC’s lead to just four points. Senior guard Holland Woods scored 11 of those 14 points.

“I didn’t want to let the game get away,” Woods said.

Rebounding issues continued to plague the Sun Devils, as USC out-rebounded ASU 28-14 in the first half. Of its 14 first half rebounds, freshman forward Marcus Bagley earned nine of them.

The Sun Devils also struggled to capitalize at the free throw line, ending the first half just two of eight from the stripe.

“We were shooting ourselves in the foot by not doing some fundamentally simple things that would help our offense,” Hurley said.

With players on the bench chanting “Defense, defense!” ASU came out of halftime with energy.

The Sun Devils gained the lead for the first time in the second half off a layup from Woods, making the score 58-56 with seven minutes remaining in the game.

Arizona State ran into foul trouble around the five minute mark though, with junior forward Chris Osten and Bagley both earning their fourth fouls of the game.

The score remained close for most of the second half but the Trojans – who rank second in the Pac-12 in scoring – regained the lead and came out victorious.

Though USC only shot 39% from the field, they were successful on 26 of 32 free throw attempts and blocked 12 of ASU’s 59 shots. Additionally, the Trojans grabbed 50 rebounds, which was 20 more than the Sun Devils.

ASU was led by Woods who finished the night with 18 points and four assists. Senior guard Alonzo Verge Jr. finished with 17 points and three assists. Both starting freshmen, guard Josh Christopher and Bagley, scored 11 points. Bagley’s 13 boards stood out despite ASU’s large negative margin in the battle on the glass.

“I admire our effort,” Hurley said of the loss. “We just didn’t have enough.”