Dec. 23, 2008
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
Tempe, Ariz.-
By Thomas Lenneberg, ASU Media Relations
No. 20 Arizona State made a school-record 17 three-pointers as they routed Idaho State 90-55 in front of 7,600 at Wells Fargo Arena.
Less than 30 seconds into the game, Ty Abbott drained a three, igniting the offensive onslaught. With just over 16 minutes left in the first, the Bengals tied the game up at five apiece, the last time it would be close. James Harden, Rihards Kuksiks, and Abbott combined to sink 10 first half three-pointers as the Devils cruised to a 15-point halftime advantage.
The Sun Devils outscored Idaho St. 27-4 in the first nine minutes of the second half, stretching their already substantial 15-point lead to a an insurmountable 38. Jeff Pendergraph scored seven of his 11 points during the stretch and also finished with a game-high eight rebounds.
"I thought we really played excellent team basketball on both ends of the floor. It was a fun game from our standpoint to watch," remarked coach Herb Sendek about his team's performance. "A lot of things look good and feel good and go your way when you shoot the way we did today."
ASU (10-1) shot a sizzling 51 percent from the floor, while converting 17-of 32 long balls. This broke the previous record for three-pointers made, 16, which came against Cal last season.
"Being ready to shoot when the ball's there, having your feet under you, just the whole nine yards," Harden said about their record-breaking shooting performance. "Guys passed the ball, we were aggressive and guys were ready to shoot the ball today."
Harden led the way with 18 points, including three long balls, as all five Sun Devil starters scored in double figures. Kuksiks commanded the long-range barrage, going 5-for-6 on 3s for 15 points, while Abbott went 4-for-6 and ended with 14 points.
Point guard Derek Glasser, who matched his career high with nine assists, committed only a single turnover. He finished with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.
Freshman forward Taylor Rhode saw his most action of the season, scoring three points and grabbing four rebounds in 13 minutes of solid play.
"Everybody played today, it was a real team win. I was really pleased with the way they made each other better and helped each other," coach Sendek commented about the Devils unselfish play. "It was an excellent contribution from all the guys."
Junior Jerren Shipp contributed nine points on two three-pointers, while sophomore guard Jamelle McMillan added four assists and six points.
The Sun Devils are 10-1 for the second time in 34 seasons, tied for the best 11-game start in school history, matching the 2004-05 team.