Feb. 13, 2011
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
By: Dushan Mladenovic, ASU Media Relations
Late efforts by Arizona State (9-15, 1-11) were not enough Sunday evening as they fell 67-52 to the University of Arizona Wildcats (15) (21-4, 10-2) at Wells Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils suffered their tenth consecutive loss in the Pac-10 and were swept in the season series against the rival Wildcats in the Territorial Cup.
Jamelle McMillan led the Sun Devils with 12 points and Trent Lockett added 10 points. Center Jordan Bachynski added a spark late for the Sun Devils but left the game after falling hard to the floor. The Sun Devils shot 37.7 percent (20 of 53) from the field and 26.7 percent (4 of 15) from behind the arc.
The Sun Devils found some offensive rhythm early and the teams went back and forth with five lead changes in the first half. Kyle Fogg came alive for the Wildcats and they were able to go ahead. ASU trailed from that point on.
The Wildcats came out strong in the second half quickly adding onto their ten point lead at the half and bringing the deficit to 19 points early. The Sun Devils did not score for the first 3 ½ minutes and had three turnovers in their five possessions during that time. Kyle Cain broke the scoreless streak and ASU went on a 10-0 run but Arizona was able to maintain a solid lead and grind out their tenth Pac-10 victory of the season.
Kyle Fogg was huge for the Wildcats hitting six three pointers and matching his career high in points with 26. Jesse Perry added 10 points and seven rebounds as the Wildcats shot 40 percent (20 of 50) and 40.9 percent (9-22) from behind the arc. "One thing about Arizona is that they have great balance and any number of their guys can hurt you", commented coach Herb Sendek.
At times Arizona struggled against ASU's gritty defense. The Sun Devils blocked a season-high nine shots. They also held Arizona center Derek Williams to 11 points and five rebounds. Williams is averaging 19.5 points as well as just over eight rebounds a game.
"We had some looks that normally Ty (Abbott) and Rick (Kuksiks) knock down and we have seen them do it a million times and they couldn't find it today", commented senior guard Jamelle McMillan. "We had some point blank shots at the rim as far as our inside game and I think a lot of that was because of their defense and they do a great job of helping and play above the rim altering shots."
Arizona State takes on the Washington Huskies Thursday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.