March 1, 2001
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Alton Mason, who wants to end his college career on the upswing, took a big stride in that direction Thursday night.
Mason, who hit 17 of 19 free throws attempts, scored 25 points in leading Arizona State to an 86-74 victory over Oregon.
"It's important we did what we did," said Mason, a senior. "We didn't want to end the season how we were playing. I didn't want to end my career like that. I talked with coach (Rob) Evans this week and he said I had to go out playing well."
Evans, whose team has three games left, was impressed with Mason's effort.
"I think he really stepped it up like a senior is supposed to do," said Evans. "This was one of his better all-around games. He showed strong leadership."
The Sun Devils (12-14, 4-11 Pac 10) took control with a 24-4 run early in the second half as Tommy Smith scored 11 points.
Oregon (13-13, 4-12) was on top 38-32 when the Sun Devils' big run started one minute into the second half. Seven minutes later, Arizona State was up 56-44.
Oregon, which got a career-high 36 points from Frederick Jones, drew no closer than five points the rest of the way as Arizona State, shooting 59 percent from the field, claimed its second victory over the Ducks this season.
The loss dimmed Oregon's chances for a postseason tournament bid.
"It was very important for us to try to get to the postseason," Jones said. "I was just trying to do my part. Evidently, it wasn't enough.
"They got a lot of good looks early in the second half," he added. "We were a little bit out of sync. They came back on us."
Arizona State took a 15-5 early lead, but Oregon got back in the game with an 11-0 run and led 37-31 at the half. Jones scored 17 of his points in the first half while Arizona State committed 16 turnovers.
Smith finished with 17 points for Arizona State on 8 of 10 shooting from the field.
Bryan Bracey produced 21 points for Oregon.
Arizona State's 55 second-half points was a season-high for points in a half, as ASU swept the Ducks for the first time since 1992-93. ASU has played well in Eugene, as it has posted a 4-3 mark in the past seven years at McArthur Court, but coming into the game tonight Oregon had won five of the past six in Tempe.
The 59.6 percent field goal shooting was the third-best by the Sun Devils this year and the eighth-best in Rob Evans 255 games as a head coach.