Sun Devils show improvement in win over Sam Houston State

(Photo Credit: Alyssa Buruato/WCSN)

Arizona State mens basketball is finding its rhythm six games into the season.

Graduate guard Jose Perez had a statement game Wednesday night, scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The West Virginia transfer has found a key role as a three-level scorer, and playmaker early in the season.

“I’m playing with some talented guards,” Perez said. “I feel like they just trust me enough, they just trust me to make the right plays.”

Arizona State men’s basketball logged its third home victory of the year, taking care of business against Sam Houston State in a 78-61 win. The Sun Devils never trailed in Wednesday’s matchup, going up 13 points at halftime, an encouraging sign as offensive execution has been a focal point for the team since losing to BYU on Thanksgiving day.

“(BYU) punched us in the mouth,” Perez said. “They’re a really good team, but we’re a really good team. We just haven’t played up to our potential just yet and I feel like BYU showed us we need to play hard on both ends.”

For the second game in a row, four of ASU’s starters ended the game in double figures. Junior guard Frankie Collins and graduate forward Alonzo Gaffney both finished with 12 points, while junior guard Jamiya Neal logged 14 points along with eight defensive boards.

“We knew with [Zane Meeks] and [Shawn Phillips Jr] out that we would have to step up,” Neal said. “We’re all big athletic guards.”

Going into Wednesday’s matchup, ASU ranked last in the Pac-12 in multiple offensive statistics averaging just 68 points per game, and 40% from the field as a team, yet the last two games have been night and day.

“Overall just feeling better, we’re still finding ourselves, still not all the way there,” Hurley said. “We compensated for not having that girth inside with a lot of will and athletic ability. It was good to see the guy play with that type of energy on defense.”

Wednesday night was another impressive defensive showing for the Sun Devils, forcing 15 Bearkat turnovers. Collins — . the NCAA steals per game leader — had another three-steal game, an effort complemented by Gaffney’s three blocks.

ASU also took advantage in transition. After getting stops, a squad loaded with athletic players quickly moved up and down the floor, something Hurley looked to take advantage of.

“I thought we might be able to run on Sam Houston in transition,” Hurley said. “Fortunately, we had the stops to go and get some baskets in transition.”

The Sun Devils have made an identity on the defensive end thus far, taking pride in getting stops as they continue to build offensively.

“Defense, that’s always been our calling card,” Neal said. “With our offense struggling we need to rely on getting stops and getting out in transition, to get easy buckets.

Neal and Perez are confident in the progress the team is making, with a simple goal of trying to improve every day.

“It’s a long season, just trying to get 1% better everyday,” Neal said. “That’s all we need to do, we don’t have to look our best right now, it’s a very long season.”