Using a 14-3 binge over the final four and a half minutes and a Tra Holder floater with two seconds remaining, Arizona State crawled all the way back and topped the Trojans in an 80-78 thriller.
The victory marked the team's seventh win of the season after trailing at halftime.
"You have to become perfect in that situation with that kind of deficit," said head coach Bobby Hurley after the victory. "But it's possible when you have the heart and will to win. It was great to get that one."
A stout commitment to defense allowed the Sun Devils to jump out to an early lead in this one.
Hurley's team only gave up one field goal in the first six minutes and was staked to an early 9-2 advantage after a mini 5-0 run from Holder. The Trojans would eventually find an offensive rhythm, however, and managed to grab a 37-33 lead at the halftime break.
The second half played out in a similar fashion as neither team was able to fully break away. USC did hold two separate leads of nine points, but Arizona State battled back each time.
The first response was sparked by freshman Kimani Lawrence and then extended through senior Shannon Evans II, who scored his team's next eight points after a Lawrence jumper cut the deficit to 58-51. That deficit was ultimately trimmed all the way to one at 67-66, but once again, the visitors from Los Angeles pushed the lead back to nine.
And that's when the most important comeback of Pac-12 play began.
"The crowd definitely helped us with our energy," Evans said. "We wanted to execute and play defense harder."
PAST 11 ASU VS. USC GAMES IN TEMPE (ASU LEADS 10-1)
ASU 80, USC 77/Feb. 8, 2018
ASU 83, USC 82/Feb. 26, 2017
ASU 74, #23 USC 67/Feb. 12, 2016
ASU 64, USC 59/Feb. 22, 2015
ASU 98, USC 93 (OT)/Jan. 24, 2013
ASU 56, USC 52/Feb. 25, 2012
USC 63, ASU 61/Jan. 27, 2011
ASU 59, USC 54/Mar. 4, 2010
ASU 65, USC 53/Feb. 15, 2009
ASU 80, USC 66/Mar. 1, 2008
ASU 68, #22 USC 58/Feb. 18, 2007
The execution started at the charity stripe, where Holder and another pair of guards - Kodi Justice and Remy Martin - buried five free throws to make the score 76-71. Both teams would then exchange buckets on their next possessions, and that's when the Trojan scoring would stop and the Sun Devil flurry began.
A clutch Justice jumper with just over 90 seconds remaining made it a one possession game, and after forcing a long miss on the other end, Evans pulled up from the Sparky logo and tied the game at 78-78 with his fifth triple of the night.
MUST. BE. THE. HAIR. @hollywood_XI pic.twitter.com/PAc2vfufmd
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) February 9, 2018
"I felt like the ball was going in for me the second half and I had some room," said Evans when asked about his biggest shot of the night. "Cash was the only thing that was going through my head at that time. Cash...net."
Evans' long ball set the scene for Holder. After another empty trip for USC, Hurley opted to not use a timeout and instead let his point guard make a play.
The senior delivered.
Holder let the clock wind all the way down to six seconds before starting his drive to the hoop, opting to go left against the Trojans longest defender. He then floated the ball with his right hand off the glass and through the net, sealing the deal on an 80-78 win that sent a crowd of over 12,000 into a state of delirium.
The dagger. ??????????
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) February 9, 2018
SUN DEVILS WIN??SUN DEVILS WIN??SUN DEVILS WIN?? pic.twitter.com/wVQOpQH70m
"I didn't want him to call a timeout," Holder said. "When I got into the lane I saw No. 2 (Jonah Matthews) waiting for me so I kind of had to shoot a little fadeaway shot. We work on those all the time, so credit Coach Hurley for that one."
Holder's last bucket of the night gave him 22 points, which moved him to No. 5 on the program's all-time scoring list at 1,675.
Arizona State had three players finish in double figures, with Evans (21) and Martin (10) joining Holder. The team's ability to turn USC over and then capitalize on those mistakes ended up playing a huge factor as the Sun Devils finished with a 14-0 advantage in points off turnovers.
Up next for Arizona State is a date with UCLA as Hurley's team will look to grow its winning streak to three. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena, and those not in attendance can view the game on the Pac-12 Networks.
"Every game right now is crucial and the goal is to play in the tournament in March," said Evans when looking ahead to Saturday. "We have a quick turnaround for that. It's cool to win this one, but our mindset is win two and we have to do that."
POSTGAME LINKS...
--The three key moments in ASU's last-second win over USC (azcentral.com)
--AP game story
--Game-closing 14-3 run propels ASU to crucial home win (Rivals.com)
--The win by the numbers (Rivals.com)
--Tra Holder's game-winning floater helps ASU stun USC (State Press)
--VIDEO: Coach Hurley postgame
--AUDIO: Holder's game-winning shot
--AUDIO: Evans' game-tying three
--VIDEO: Evans and Holder interview
--Holder's game-winner lifts ASU (247Sports.com)
--Comeback win ASU's best in Pac-12 play thus far (247Sports.com)
--Put it in the Bank…ASU rallies to defeat USC (arizonasports.com)
--Tra Holder hits game-winner as Sun Devils down USC (House of Sparky)