Donned in their 2017 Hardwood Classics uniform honoring ASU Hall of Famer Jumpin' Joe Caldwell and the 1962-63 @SunDevilHoops team, ASU defeated the Washington Huskies, 86-75, on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Arena.
Junior guard Shannon Evans II (25 points) had his sixth 20-point scoring game of the season, as the Devils (10-11, 3-5) were down by as much as seven points early in the first half. ASU went on a 16-3 run and took their first lead of the game in part by Evans II's seven points in that five-minute span as ASU led 34-29 at the half.
"I thought our defense was as good as it has been all year, especially in league play in the first half holding in the thirty percents was big. We didn't make shots and we were relatively stagnant, so we didn't play the best we can play on that end. We guarded, got stops and made turnovers. We had a good solid advantage going into half. Coming into the second half, we stepped on the floor the right way. We extended the lead. We watched a lot of film on Washington, they have been down before in the second half and made big charges to number their games and they have the talent to do so. However we withstood that."
The Sun Devil defense worked to hold hot-shooting Markelle Fultz to eight points in the first half despite the freshman averaging 33.7 points over his last three outings. The defense also scored 17 points off of turnovers while limiting the Huskies to just two.
Junior guard Tra Holder contributed 23 points of his own and was the key to a 52-point second half for ASU. After a slow first frame, Holder exploded for 21 points -- including going 3-for-4 from behind the arc -- in the second half, and at one point scored 11 straight.
"Tra Holder was terrific with his eleven straight points at a crucial time for us at the time in the game. He clutched and had a great look in his eyes when he delivered. It was really a team win. Obinna (Oleka) in foul trouble, not getting his touches like we would normally get. Twelve defensive rebounds, huge for him. Jethro (Tshiumpa) and Ramon (Vila) had underrated contributions because it wasn't maybe in the second half where the game was being closed out, but those guys had good minutes rebounding."
ASU went 23-for-34 (67.6%) at the free throw line against the Huskies, with Evans II shooting a perfect 10-for-10. With tonight's game, the Virginia-native brought his season free-throw percentage up to a Pac-12-leading .872 (75-for-86). The Sun Devils sent Washington to the line just 13 times.
ASU shot .426 (26-for-61) from the floor compared to the Huskies' 40.3% (29-for-72). Aside from field goal percentage, ASU also topped Washington in rebounds with 45.
The Sun Devils return to Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday, Jan. 29 at noon MT to face the Washington State Courgars. The game willl be televised by Pac-12 Network and heard on 98.7 FM in Phoenix.
COULD BE THE THE THIRD: Shannon Evans II currently leads the Pac-12 in free throw percentage, as he has made 75-of-86 (872). Two Sun Devils have led the Pac-12 in free throw percentage, as Chris Beasley shot .875 (112-of-128) in 1983-84 and Alex Austin made 69-of-80 (.863) in 1988-89.
Junior guard Shannon Evans II (25 points) had his sixth 20-point scoring game of the season, as the Devils (10-11, 3-5) were down by as much as seven points early in the first half. ASU went on a 16-3 run and took their first lead of the game in part by Evans II's seven points in that five-minute span as ASU led 34-29 at the half.
SHANNON EVANS II 6 20-POINT GAMES AT ASU
28 vs. UNLV (12/3/16)
25 vs. Washington (1/25/17)
23 vs. Central Arkansas (12/22/16)
21 vs. Utah (1/7/17)
21 vs. Tulane (11/18/16)
20 vs. Cal Poly (11/13/16)
"I thought our defense was as good as it has been all year, especially in league play in the first half holding in the thirty percents was big. We didn't make shots and we were relatively stagnant, so we didn't play the best we can play on that end. We guarded, got stops and made turnovers. We had a good solid advantage going into half. Coming into the second half, we stepped on the floor the right way. We extended the lead. We watched a lot of film on Washington, they have been down before in the second half and made big charges to number their games and they have the talent to do so. However we withstood that."
The Sun Devil defense worked to hold hot-shooting Markelle Fultz to eight points in the first half despite the freshman averaging 33.7 points over his last three outings. The defense also scored 17 points off of turnovers while limiting the Huskies to just two.
A stepback from @hollywood_XI https://t.co/iTq4g6eQop @JB_Long @jeffmetcalfe @DevilsDigest #SCtop10 @SunDevilSource @ASU @jmarshallap
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) January 26, 2017
Junior guard Tra Holder contributed 23 points of his own and was the key to a 52-point second half for ASU. After a slow first frame, Holder exploded for 21 points -- including going 3-for-4 from behind the arc -- in the second half, and at one point scored 11 straight.
TRA HOLDER CAREER 10 20+ POINT GAMES IN 2016-17
25 at Stanford (12/30/16)
24 vs. #9 Creighton (12/20/16)
24 vs. Cal Poly (11/13/16)
23 vs. Washington (1/25/17)
23 vs. Portland State (11/11/16)
22 at #3 UCLA (1/19/17)
22 vs. Central Arkansas (12/22/16)
22 vs. Citadel (11/23/16)
20 @#16 Arizona (1/12/17)
20 vs. UNLV (12/3/16)
Senior guard Torian Graham was the third Devil with double-digit points on the night, adding 17 points, while senior Obinna Oleka chipped in to grab 12 rebounds, his 12th game of the season grabbing double-digit boards.
"Tra Holder was terrific with his eleven straight points at a crucial time for us at the time in the game. He clutched and had a great look in his eyes when he delivered. It was really a team win. Obinna (Oleka) in foul trouble, not getting his touches like we would normally get. Twelve defensive rebounds, huge for him. Jethro (Tshiumpa) and Ramon (Vila) had underrated contributions because it wasn't maybe in the second half where the game was being closed out, but those guys had good minutes rebounding."
ASU went 23-for-34 (67.6%) at the free throw line against the Huskies, with Evans II shooting a perfect 10-for-10. With tonight's game, the Virginia-native brought his season free-throw percentage up to a Pac-12-leading .872 (75-for-86). The Sun Devils sent Washington to the line just 13 times.
ASU shot .426 (26-for-61) from the floor compared to the Huskies' 40.3% (29-for-72). Aside from field goal percentage, ASU also topped Washington in rebounds with 45.
The Sun Devils return to Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday, Jan. 29 at noon MT to face the Washington State Courgars. The game willl be televised by Pac-12 Network and heard on 98.7 FM in Phoenix.
COULD BE THE THE THIRD: Shannon Evans II currently leads the Pac-12 in free throw percentage, as he has made 75-of-86 (872). Two Sun Devils have led the Pac-12 in free throw percentage, as Chris Beasley shot .875 (112-of-128) in 1983-84 and Alex Austin made 69-of-80 (.863) in 1988-89.