In a back and forth affair with 12 lead changes and six ties, ASU notched some late-game defensive toughness to beat Oregon State 74-73 in the final seconds to extend its winning streak to seven games. ASU has now won nine of its past and is one of the hottest teams in the nation heading into the homestretch.
Alonzo Verge Jr. continued his torrid pace as of late as he put up another 17 points for Arizona State. Verge is averaging over 20 points per game during this seven-game win streak and is now a leading contender for the Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year Award.
"I think we are getting better as a team and we have not peaked yet," Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said. "That's a good feeling to have this time of year. Where we were at one point, and we've kind of transformed ourselves and really have found an identity...having a lot of guys playing well at the right time of the year. You have a team you have to rip their heart out to beat them, and that's what we're bringing to the court every game. It was just a commitment. Everyone made it. We feel we could do more and we started playing up to our level."
ASU also got a nice contribution from Kimani Lawrence, who had a season-high 14 points and played big minutes for Arizona State down the stretch as he bothered Oregon Sate's guards with his length.
KIMANI LAWRENCE TOP SCORING GAMES
22 vs. #22 Mississippi State (11/19/18)
18 vs. Omaha (11/28/18)
16 vs. Cal State Fullerton (11/6/18)
16 vs. McNeese State (11/9/18)
15 at UCLA (1/24/19)
14 vs. Oregon State (2/22/20)
This is also the second time this year five players were in double digits for the Sun Devils. Romello White was solid in the paint as he collected 15 points and seven rebounds. Remy Martin also had 17 points, including three shots from behind the arc.
Even though Oregon State ended the half on a 9-0 run to take a three point lead going into the half, ASU retooled as they went tick for tack with the Beavers down the stretch.
Despite not scoring in the last 2:31 of the game, ASU was able to top Oregon State with strong defense down the stretch. With 21 seconds left, Oregon State had the ball down one. Tres Tinkle drove the baseline and hit Jarod Lucas for a contested three. The ball hit off the side of the rim.
The Sun Devils have now 11 straight against Oregon State in Tempe. ASU is now 19-8 on the season and sitting at the top of the conference.
SUN DEVILS IN TWO POSSESSION PAC-12 GAMES (SIX POINTS OR LESS)
W, 74-73 vs. Oregon State (Feb. 22)
W, 77-72 vs. #14 Oregon (Feb. 20)
W, 80-75 @California (Feb. 16)
W, 74-69 @Stanford (Feb. 13)
W, 66-64 vs. USC (Feb. 8)
W, 87-84 @Washington (Feb. 1)
L, 65-67 @Washington State (Jan. 29)
W, 66-65 vs. #22 Arizona (Jan. 25)
W, 82-76 @Oregon State (Jan. 9)
ASU travels to Los Angeles next weekend to face UCLA on Thursday at 8 p.m. PT on the Pac-12 Network.
Alonzo Verge Jr. continued his torrid pace as of late as he put up another 17 points for Arizona State. Verge is averaging over 20 points per game during this seven-game win streak and is now a leading contender for the Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year Award.
"I think we are getting better as a team and we have not peaked yet," Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said. "That's a good feeling to have this time of year. Where we were at one point, and we've kind of transformed ourselves and really have found an identity...having a lot of guys playing well at the right time of the year. You have a team you have to rip their heart out to beat them, and that's what we're bringing to the court every game. It was just a commitment. Everyone made it. We feel we could do more and we started playing up to our level."
ASU also got a nice contribution from Kimani Lawrence, who had a season-high 14 points and played big minutes for Arizona State down the stretch as he bothered Oregon Sate's guards with his length.
KIMANI LAWRENCE TOP SCORING GAMES
22 vs. #22 Mississippi State (11/19/18)
18 vs. Omaha (11/28/18)
16 vs. Cal State Fullerton (11/6/18)
16 vs. McNeese State (11/9/18)
15 at UCLA (1/24/19)
14 vs. Oregon State (2/22/20)
This is also the second time this year five players were in double digits for the Sun Devils. Romello White was solid in the paint as he collected 15 points and seven rebounds. Remy Martin also had 17 points, including three shots from behind the arc.
Even though Oregon State ended the half on a 9-0 run to take a three point lead going into the half, ASU retooled as they went tick for tack with the Beavers down the stretch.
Despite not scoring in the last 2:31 of the game, ASU was able to top Oregon State with strong defense down the stretch. With 21 seconds left, Oregon State had the ball down one. Tres Tinkle drove the baseline and hit Jarod Lucas for a contested three. The ball hit off the side of the rim.
The Sun Devils have now 11 straight against Oregon State in Tempe. ASU is now 19-8 on the season and sitting at the top of the conference.
SUN DEVILS IN TWO POSSESSION PAC-12 GAMES (SIX POINTS OR LESS)
W, 74-73 vs. Oregon State (Feb. 22)
W, 77-72 vs. #14 Oregon (Feb. 20)
W, 80-75 @California (Feb. 16)
W, 74-69 @Stanford (Feb. 13)
W, 66-64 vs. USC (Feb. 8)
W, 87-84 @Washington (Feb. 1)
L, 65-67 @Washington State (Jan. 29)
W, 66-65 vs. #22 Arizona (Jan. 25)
W, 82-76 @Oregon State (Jan. 9)
ASU travels to Los Angeles next weekend to face UCLA on Thursday at 8 p.m. PT on the Pac-12 Network.