Nov. 20, 1999
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Tommy Smith and Alton Mason each scored 15 points to lead Arizona State to a 79-57 victory over Portland State in its season opener Saturday night.
Smith is one of six scholarship freshmen on the Sun Devils' roster. Only Duke and Northwestern can match that number in Division I.
Arizona State was ahead 50-42 with 14 minutes remaining before going on a 26-9 run to pull away.
Eddie House, the team's top scorer a year ago, had 10 points during the crucial run after being held scoreless in the first half.
Ime Udoka had 18 points and Hasan Artharee 16 to lead Portland State (1-1) while Awvee Storey, a transfer from Illinois, added 12.
The Sun Devils wore down the Vikings on the boards with a 46-26 rebounding edge. Smith and Storey each had seven.
Arizona State took control early, building a 20-10 lead midway through the first half en route to a 36-28 halftime advantage.