Nov. 23, 2008
Recap | Box Score | Notes | AP Photo Gallery
Tempe, AZ.-
By Thomas Lenneberg, ASU Media Relations
James Harden scored a career-high 33 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as the No. 15 Sun Devils beat Pepperdine 61-40 at home.
Although he didn't personally outscore the Waves, Harden was virtually unstoppable from beginning to end, shooting 12-of-19 from the floor and 8-of-9 from the line en route to his career scoring night. With most of the team having an off shooting night, James' offensive outburst could not have come during a better game.
The Waves led 13-11 midway through the first half, but Arizona State, after a Harden dunk, went on a 16-6 run to close out the half ahead by eight. After Pepperdine cut the lead to four in the opening minutes of the second half, Harden took over and scored the next 17 points for the Sun Devils.
"Obviously, James was the difference for us with his offensive production," coach Herb Sendek said.
This is the second double-double in three games for Harden this season, and the fourth of his short career. He has scored in double figures in seven straight contests, and in 32-of-37 career games.
"My teammates did a real good job of finding me," the always humble Harden said of his dominating performance.
Of Harden's seven made field goals, four of them were assisted by junior Derek Glasser (six assists overall), while the other three came from roommate Ty Abbott (three overall).
"Guys stepped up and made plays, especially [junior] Jerren Shipp."
This season, Shipp is being asked to come off the bench and provide a lift for the Sun Devils. After being a starter for the majority of the previous two seasons, a change like this could have a potentially disastrous impact not only on the player, but also on the team and the season. Jerren, however, has embraced this challenge, a nod to his character and the team-first, winning-above-all mantra that Coach Sendek has been implementing since his arrival in the desert over two years ago.
"I'm trying to be more of an energy guy this year. Coming off the bench and giving the team a lift anytime I can; taking hustle plays, blocking out, I'm doing whatever it takes." Shipp said about his role change.
"You never know when you're going to get time, so you have to be ready to contribute whenever you get minutes."
Harden's offensive tenacity was matched with similar intensity on the defensive end as the Sun Devils limited the Waves to 26.7 percent shooting from the floor, while also garnering 13 steals and forcing Pepperdine to commit 20 turnovers.
Jerren was the only other Devil who scored in double digits (11), going 4-of-5 from the field, while grabbing five rebounds, as Harden and him combined to make 16 of the teams 21 field goals.