McKissic shines in Maroon and Gold game

(Photo: Cammeron Neely/WCSN)

The Maroon and Gold game was once again a platform for Arizona State men’s basketball to showcase the talent and promise for the upcoming season.

In this year’s installment one of the newest faces, Shaquielle Mckissic, was arguably the player of the game and the newcomer ASU fans will be most eager to see grace the court again.

The initial starting lineups for the game included Jahii Carson, Mckissic, Egor Koulechov, Jonathan Gilling, and Eric Jacobsen on team Gold.

While on the other side Chance Murray, Bo Barnes, Brandan Kearney, Sai Tummala, and Richie Edwards started for team Maroon.

Neither center  Jordan Bachynski or wing Jermaine Marshall played in the scrimmage. Bachynski was out with an ankle ailment and Marshall did not play due to illness.

The scrimmage consisted of four separately scored segments where players switched teams at the end of every break.

Team Gold beat Maroon 34-16 in the first quarter, 25-22 in the second quarter, and 25-22 in the fourth quarter. Maroon’s only win of the night came in the third quarter where they outscored team Gold 22-16.

Mckissic led all scorers with an unofficial 33 points. Barnes had 30 points of his own, and Carson dropped in a smooth 23. Richie Edwards, Egor Koulechov, Eric Jacobsen, and Brandan Kearney all had 13 points each.

Even with Carson making moves such as spinning in the lane and banking in the shot while getting fouled in the third segment. Or crossing over Tummala and finishing the play with a made jump shot from the left elbow, Mckissic still stood out more.

The guard from Seattle, Wash. had his athleticism on display early and often.

Whether it was a fastbreak possession, where it appeared the transfer guard was going to dunk the ball but instead went up-and-under off the backboard, his actually dunk contest between Carson in warm ups, or the four three-pointers he made, Mckissic looked impressive.

After the scrimmage the shooting guard attributed his play to the hard work he and all of his teammates are exerting.

“Everybody wants those minutes,” Mckissic said. “Everybody’s working hard.”

He also went on to mention his work has not just been physical, but mental as well.

“It’s a real learning experience. I’ve never had to learn this much in my life,” McKissic said.

Head coach Herb Sendek was among the many pleased with Mckissic play.

“I thought his athleticism really stood out for us,” Sendek said. “He’s an elite athlete who shot the ball well tonight.”

Sendek also mentioned Barnes and the strides he made this off-season to get better. This comment came after the junior guard made five three-pointers and looked overall more confident on the floor.

ASU both won and lost Friday night, and although that is a bit of a facetious comment it does sum up the game.

The Sun Devils got a better look at what players may be able to step up this season; however, they also see the holes that need to be filled before the season tips off on Nov. 8.

Additional unofficial game statistics: Sai Tummala 12 points, Jon Gilling 9 points, Calaen Robinson 7 points, Chance Murray 6 points, Dave Whitmore 4 points

16 three pointers made.

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