"It was a very balanced game, we didn't have a real standout on offense, Rob (Edwards) and Remy (Martin) made some big plays," said coach Bobby Hurley. "Everyone did their part, especially in the first half."
When the Sun Devils play as one unit, anything is possible according to Edwards. He and Martin both scored a team-high 16 points and have complemented each other into the final stretch of conference play.
ASU is now 7-2 in Pac-12 play when Edwards scores over 10 points.
"I'm just trying to get confidence for March," said Edwards. "Just trying to pick it up and help everyone else, we got to win games, and we know that's what we have to do."
In the first half, both teams shot the ball at a high level and traded buckets for much of the first 20 minutes. Before the horn, Martin drilled a triple that gave the Sun Devils their largest lead of eight heading into the break.
"I think that the three was definitely a big momentum swing, it changed the lead and gave us a few more points," said Martin. "Sometimes at halftime where it's a close game, teams really jump out at us… That three was just a little part of what we're talking about, being energized and making the right play and that's what we did today, it was just a great game."
According to Edwards, the team knew that the loss to Stanford earlier in the season was due to mishaps on the defensive end. They watched film all week, focusing on defensive breakdowns and help defense.
Arizona State limited the Cardinal to just 30 percent shooting in the second half and 38.2 percent for the game. Sparky has held 11 opponents (six Pac-12) to under 40 percent shooting and is 10-1 in such games.
"They were 2-20 (from three), so you can't ask for a whole lot better," said Hurley. "I think part of it was our pressure and what we were doing on some ball screens, we were really speeding them up some."
Arizona State flirted with a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. The 10,327 recognized the home team pulling away as Rob Edwards hit a corner jumper after two consecutive free-throw misses by Jaiden Delaire that supplied the crowd free Chick-Fil-A.
With under a minute left, Martin stole the ball, made a few hesitations, and went coast to coast for a between-the-legs dish to De'Quon Lake for a poster dunk.
"A fitting end to everything," said Hurley. "Everyone that was in the building tonight had great energy, great effort, and we gave them something to cheer about."
The effort was on the glass per usual as the Sun Devils outrebounded their 21st opponent this year, but Zylan Cheatham didn't front the production. Nine different players grabbed a rebound against Stanford with Luguentz Dort, Cheatham, Martin, and Edwards all grasping five.
Tonight was Cheatham's first game with less than nine rebounds since ASU's game at Cal on Jan. 9.
Hurley dressed in an all black button down that Martin says gets him playing as hard as he can. It wasn't the color, but the fact that Hurley regarded the shirt as his "gangsta shirt" and wore it because he had a feeling they would deliver.
"The guys played like gangsta's out there," said Hurley. "They played hard, took control of the game, they really battled and fought, so I enjoyed wearing my black shirt tonight."
The Sun Devils have a chance for a series sweep on senior night against California on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m. Tip-off can be viewed on Pac-12 Networks and heard on ESPN Radio 620 AM. SUN DEVIL FRESHMAN FREE THROW ATTEMPTS
245 – Ike Diogu, 2003
224 – James Harden, 2008
207 – JahiiCarson, 2013
162 – Luguentz Dort, 2013
140 – Mario Bennett, 1992
QUOTING BOBBY HURLEY
"Great team win, I thought we put together two pretty good halves. Very good half on offense first half, defense really stepped up in the second half held their numbers pretty low and we got really good balance on offense so I couldn't really ask for a better effort tonight"
On starting out on man and switching to traps, zones:
"We worked on it, we knew they would play man, two-three, also one-three-one so we were prepared and knew that's what they had been doing most recently."
On Stanford shooting poorly from three point, stance on three-point defense:
"They were 2-20, so you can't ask for a whole lot better. I think part of it was our pressure and what we were doing on some ball screens, we were really speeding them up some. We didn't allow them to go side to side, they like to go side to side with their ball screen offense then wait for the breakdown. We were more aggressive and didn't allow them to do it."
On Remy's play at the end of the game:
"It was a spectacular play. A fitting end to everything. The crowd enjoyed it, was a great crowd. Everyone that was in the building tonight had a great energy, great effort, and we gave them something to cheer about."
On what he thought of the crowd:
"I just said it, was great. Terrific. Great energy, some spectacular plays out there that we made. Was a fun game to watch and be apart of."
On Rob Edwards better shot selection:
"He showed great patience on offense, was very efficient (6-8). Had a number of good passes as well, had five rebounds and played great defense. He is rounding into form. You look back on his season and wonder all the time he lost and what he was dealing with has slowed his progression. He just looks to be in a great space right now."
On Rob Edwards peaking:
"It's great, I could call his number. Zylan was again in foul trouble, he made a big three and some big defensive rebounds but it wasn't his night persay. You have another weapon out there, another guy that you know you can go too that can create and make a play."
On gameplan changing without KZ Okpala:
"They've been winning, they are five of their last six. They been playing very well and expecting to win. It's not easy when you lose a key component to what you are doing. We had to deal with that at times with not having Remy or Rob at different stages. They fought hard, they battled, they were in a routine of winning so they came out and played hard and expected to win."
On significance of black shirt.
"I had a feeling that we would deliver, this is my gangsta shirt. The guys played like gangsta's out there. They played hard, took control of the game, they really battled and fought so I enjoyed wearing my black shirt tonight."
On down the stretch, can you turn it on and make a run?
"I feel good about what we have been doing the last four games. Even losing a close game to Colorado, we're playing the right way. Our defense is outstanding holding them to 60 points and the percentages we held them too. They pose problems because of Sharma's size and Da Silva is long. They got good size with their guards. They're a good team and it's great we played that way and broke it open late."
On players keeping Hurley back from the refs:
"It's fine, I can't really go into detail on about play. If you saw it, I wasn't thrilled with it but that's a part of the game, things happen and you got to play through it. We have each other's back, Zylan and I got a pretty tight relationship."
On Taeshon Cherry's ejection/emotions:
"I did not. I have to see it. I'll see it here shortly i'm sure, but as the ball started changing ends I started following the ball and did not see what happened. Taeshon was kind of like me as a freshman. He's got so much spirit, emotion, raw energy and you got to harness it and try to control it. I was bad with officials and bad if I made a mistake with body language and things. He'll learn and he will mature. He is a super talented guy and we will work with him so he puts this behind him."
On Luguentz Dort starting 0-4, and trying to pace himself:
"He guarded, he defended as usual. He's an all around player. Hit a big three for us and played his normal game. It was a very balanced game we didn't have a real stand out on offense, Rob was really good and Remy made some big plays. Everyone did their part especially in the first half. Taehson hit three 3's, Kimanhi had some nice plays on offense. We got good production from our bench in the first half which i thought was a big plus."