Torian Graham made his first start and scored 19 points, including four three-pointers, but ASU fell behind 37-29 at the half and lost to Northern Iowa 82-63 in the first round of the Tire Pros Invitational Thursday evening in Orlando.
ASU did cut into the lead to 52-45 with 12:21 left, but UNI outscored ASU 14-5 in the next five minutes to put the game away. UNI was 13-of-30 (.433) from the three-point stripe. Graham is now averaging 20 points per game and is 10-of-18 (.556) from the three-point stripe.
"It was obviously a disappointing effort for us. It was out of character from how we've been playing and practicing," said Sun Devil head coach Bobby Hurley. "We didn't move the ball well at all and credit to Northern Iowa and how they shared the ball and the shotmaking. Morgan's terrific a really good all-around player. Carlson had a great game and they got strong contributions out of the bench. They moved the ball around well and the ball was popping out there. We didn't match that.
Obi Oleka notched his second straight double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and added three assists and two blocks. Through three games the senior is averaging 11.7 points and 12.3 rebounds.
ASU will next face Oklahoma or Tulane on Friday at 5 p.m. ET/3 p.m. MT on ESPNU. The Sun Devil will then face either Davidson or Missouri on Sunday at either noon or or 2:30 ET.
NOTES
--Shannon Evans has made his first 15 free throws on the season and is 199-of-246 (.809) in his 65-game career.
--ASU is shooting 57-of-75 from the free throw line on the year (.760).
ASU did cut into the lead to 52-45 with 12:21 left, but UNI outscored ASU 14-5 in the next five minutes to put the game away. UNI was 13-of-30 (.433) from the three-point stripe. Graham is now averaging 20 points per game and is 10-of-18 (.556) from the three-point stripe.
"It was obviously a disappointing effort for us. It was out of character from how we've been playing and practicing," said Sun Devil head coach Bobby Hurley. "We didn't move the ball well at all and credit to Northern Iowa and how they shared the ball and the shotmaking. Morgan's terrific a really good all-around player. Carlson had a great game and they got strong contributions out of the bench. They moved the ball around well and the ball was popping out there. We didn't match that.
Obi Oleka notched his second straight double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and added three assists and two blocks. Through three games the senior is averaging 11.7 points and 12.3 rebounds.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES FOR OBINNA OLEKA (6)
10/11 vs. Northern Iowa (11/17/16)
17/13 vs. Cal Poly (11/13/16)
14/13 vs. UCLA (2/14/16)
13/11 vs. Washington (1/16/16)
11/10 vs. Washington State (1/14/16)
10/14 vs. Marquette (11/24/15)
ASU will next face Oklahoma or Tulane on Friday at 5 p.m. ET/3 p.m. MT on ESPNU. The Sun Devil will then face either Davidson or Missouri on Sunday at either noon or or 2:30 ET.
NOTES
--Shannon Evans has made his first 15 free throws on the season and is 199-of-246 (.809) in his 65-game career.
--ASU is shooting 57-of-75 from the free throw line on the year (.760).