Dec. 14, 2008
Phoenix, AZ, -
By Thomas Lenneberg, ASU Media Relations
Rihard Kuksiks scored 18 points on six 3-pointers as the 20th-ranked Sun Devils rallied from a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat IUPUI 59-58 at US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix.
Arizona State appeared out of sync during much of the first half, committing as many turnovers, seven, as made baskets. Even preseason All-American James Harden couldn't find his rhythm, attempting only one field goal in the first half and finishing the game with just nine points, his lowest output of the season.
At halftime, IUPUI led 34-18, upsetting coach Herb Sendek and giving him plenty to discuss during the break.
"We talked about some actions that we could employ against their match-up zone, to help us attack it better the second half," coach Herb Sendek remarked about his half-time speech. "We tried to squeeze as much into twelve minutes as possible." The Sun Devils trailed 39-23 in the early minutes of the second half, their largest deficit of the game. However, their defense clamped down, allowing the Jaguars to score just two points in the final seven minutes of regulation. A three-pointer from the sharp-shooting Kuksiks sparked a 15-3 ASU run, and IUPUI's last shot, a running 12-footer, rimmed out as the horn sounded, sending the game into overtime.
"Down 16, our guys had a real gut-check and found a way to win," coach Sendek said. "We were really up against it."
Kuksiks led the team with 18 points, only the second time this season in which Harden has not held that honor.
"They were trying to give all their attention to James, so that gave me a lot of open shots," the sophomore from Latvia explained.
ASU's hard-nosed D continued into extra time where the Devils outscored IUPUI 4-to-3, leading to a one-point victory. Jeff Pendergraph and Derek Glasser scored all four of the points in extra time, stepping up after Harden fouled out.
"The team learned how to win close games last year. It's been a real positive attribute of these young guys," coach Sendek remarked about his teams come from behind victory. "We stepped over ourselves and found a way to win a really close game when the expectation was so obvious. That's not always easy to do."
Pendergraph finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. Ty Abbott scored 12 points, while Glasser added 10 and a game-high five assists.