Nov. 16, 2004
The men's basketball team topped EA Sports All-Stars 73-58 Tuesday evening to finish its exhibition season, as Ike Diogu led the way with 25 points, eight boards and six blocks.
ASU led 44-24 at the half as it shot .548 from the field (17-of-31). Both Steve Moore and Kevin Kruger had nine points for ASU, as it made seven of its first 15 three pointers to open up a 67-38 lead at the 9:56 mark of the second half.
ASU was outrebounded 38-27 but forced 21 turnovers.
The Sun Devils open the regular season on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Jackson State at Wells Fargo Arena. ASU then plays Delaware State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Both contests are part of the Las Vegas Invitational, as ASU heads to Las Vegas to battle UTEP (24-8 last year) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. PT.
UTEP is the preseason favorite to win the WAC, while on Saturday ASU will play either Southern Illinois (25-5 last year) or Vanderbilt. UTEP, Southern Illinois and Vanderbilt all made the 2004 NCAA Tournament.
ASU is now 12-2 in exhibition games under Evans.