TEMPE – Sun Devil Men's Basketball won their third straight, claiming a 72-61 victory over the San Francisco Dons Sunday Afternoon at Desert Financial Arena.
For the second consecutive game, Arizona State (5-2) never trailed in the wire-to-wire victory. The Maroon and Gold scored 22 points in transition and were led by a balanced offensive effort, as all five starters scored in double-figures for the second time this year.
San Francisco (5-3) came into the game leading the West Coast Conference in field goal percentage at 50.6%, but the Sun Devils held the Dons' to a season low 36.4% from the field and a minuscule 16.7% from beyond the arc, both keys to the victory.
Frankie Collins posted a team-high 21 points on an efficient 7-of-11 from the field, including going 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. He added eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, delivering an all-around effort. Jamiya Neal recorded his second career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, joining his Jan. 8, 2023 performance against Washington. Alonzo Gaffney, Jose Perez and Bryant Selebague all contributed 12 points apiece in the win.
KEY MOMENTS:
FRANKIE COLLINS TOP SCORING GAMES
23 at Texas Southern/Nov. 13, 2022
21 vs. San Francisco/Dec. 3, 2023
21 vs. Tarleton/Nov. 7, 2022
16 at Washington State/Jan. 28, 2023
15 at Stanford/Feb. 9, 2023
15 at Washington/Jan. 26, 2023
15 vs. VCU/Nov. 16, 2022 at Brooklyn
FIRST HALF:
Jose Perez found an open Jimaya Neal on the right-wing to then knock down an open three at 19:45, Perez then drained a mid-range jumper, on the ensuing possession, Neal snagged a rebound and found an open Frankie Collins to give ASU an 8-0 lead at the 17:57 mark in the first quarter, forcing an early Don timeout.
San Francisco got their first basket at the 14:27 mark of the half, prompting a 12-4 lead at the first media timeout. Neal converted on back-to-back baskets after forcing the Don's sixth turnover of the game with 12 minutes in the opening period holding a 16-6 lead.
The Dons cut the lead to six after converting their second three of the half, but back-to-back slams by Neal and Selebangue quickly pushed the lead back to ten with 9:10 remaining in the half.
Both sides traded baskets for the next three minutes of play that featured Collins' swiftly driving to the basket for a layup and Gaffney knocking down a corner three. ASU held a 28-18 lead at the 6:20 mark.
After a stifling defensive effort from both sides, Collin's hit a jumper from the left wing to notch his fourth basket of the day with 1:14 left in the half, giving him 10 points on the day. ASU would lead 36-28 going into the break
SECOND HALF:
San Francisco managed to cut the lead to four to start the half, but the Sun Devils made the next three baskets, two coming from Selebangue to push the lead to 42-32 with 17:15 in regulation.
Selebangue knocked down two free throws after the Dons' converted on a layup to lead 44-34, from there Neal, and Collins' knocked down jumpers along with Gaffney draining a three from the left wing to lead 51-34 forcing a San Francisco timeout with 12:34 left in the game.
Following the timeout San Francisco manufactured an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to eight, 53-45 at the nine minute mark in regulation. Selebangue put an end to the stretch with a layup making it 55-45 with 7:30 left.
Collins knocked back-to-back free throws to keep to lead at 10 for ASU at the 7:11 mark, and tacked on two more points giving the Sun Devils a 60-47 advantage. After Neal snagged a rebound he drove coast-to-coast whereas he converted a three-point play extending the lead to 16, 63-47.
The Sun Devil lead would never get under double-digits again after back-to-back buckets by Gaffney sealed the victory for ASU putting them ahead 71-59 inside the final two minutes.
UP NEXT:
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will finish their three-game home stand at Desert Financial Arena and face SMU. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. MST and can be seen on Fox Sports 1 and can be heard on the radio waves on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM with Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on the call. Tickets for Sun Devil Men's Basketball 2023-24 non-conference games are on sale now. Visit the following link for more information. Conference games are available to purchase. Ticket packages start at just $90 and the home schedule features match-ups against top ranked USC, UCLA and Arizona. Season Tickets and Mini Plans are now available.
SUN DEVILS ON SOCIAL
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilHoops), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/SunDevilHoops/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com). Make sure you are following Coach Hurley on Twitter @BobbyHurley11.
Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley:
Opening Statement:
"Really solid performance. I felt the first half had really good defense, great energy on defense, activity, creating turnovers. We knew they are a precision offensive team that if you give them clean looks, they could really hurt you from three. The kid (Jonathan) Mogbo was a very good inside player. He had a great game overall for him but just like our approach to defense, the quality of how we played offense, some of it was again generated by our defense and getting into the open court and making good plays, but just good overall performance, happy."
On the game being close despite holding the lead the entire game:
"They're a good team, the film says it. I saw a lot of BYU in watching them just with inside and then a lot of guys that could shoot. I think some of our success with guarding the three point line was our closeouts. Like an example of that would be Frankie Collins closing out late in the game to (Marcus) Williams. Like he had to probably put an extra arc on the ball because of how high Frankie contested that shot. So we really, I thought did a good job of trying to speed them up there. Maybe it felt like there were six guys out there at times because we were really moving while rotating and pressuring them."
On the mindset coming into today's game after last year's 97-60 loss:
"I didn't talk much about it at all. Just trying to keep it in the present. And again, we have 10 new players that didn't go through that. So it was just me, a few of the coaches and Jamiya (Neal) Frankie (Collins) and Zo (Alonzo Gaffney). So I thanked them after, I thanked the new players for helping us get a great win today with the real understanding of what we all had to go through last year in that game."
On the emphasis of the guards and their defense:
"I think when I went to Vegas for media day, I talked about those two maybe being defensive and rebounding great defensive rebounding guards that Frankie and Jamiya. It was good to see them showing that and we obviously do need that and it was talked about because this team is gonna shoot a lot of threes. So when you shoot a lot of threes, you're gonna allow long rebounds. So you gotta make sure your guards are committed and invested in trying to rebound the ball and I tried to put a little carrot in front of them. "Hey, if you get a long rebound, you're closer to getting to the offensive end with the ball" and they all want to do that. So maybe that worked too."
Arizona State Guard Frankie Collins
On working on his defensive performance coming into this year:
"I don't think that was a pinpoint on what he wanted me to come back and do, but I think I played some pretty good defense last season. I think I'm just in a lot more shape and a lot better shape this season. So it's easier for me to keep my man in front and play while I defend, while tired, defend without fouling."
On the team getting its footing since the start of the season:
"I think we're learning to play together a lot really well, because at first it was a little shaky, we were trying to find out what spots, where we go, and kind of messing up with our sets and kind of just all over the place. I think now we got a better understanding after getting a couple of games under our belt, being more comfortable and understanding where people want their shots and understanding how hard we got to play as a team and just playing together."
Arizona State Forward Bryant Selebangue
On how things are on the front court despite some injuries:
"I think we're doing pretty good. It's demanding from the bench, we've got a couple of freshmen coming off the bench, they've been producing. So I think it's really been a work in progress, we're waiting for a couple of guys to get back, we're just taking it game by game."
On the what the transition has been like and becoming more comfortable this season:
"Oh yes. Game by game, definitely easing into it. My mindset for the first game is definitely different from my mindset now. The transition I feel like is way faster playing with a guard like Frankie to push you. You have to be more up tempo and that's something I had to adjust to in the offseason, my body and making sure I'm able to run down the court with these guys. But it's been a great adjustment, love it here."
For the second consecutive game, Arizona State (5-2) never trailed in the wire-to-wire victory. The Maroon and Gold scored 22 points in transition and were led by a balanced offensive effort, as all five starters scored in double-figures for the second time this year.
San Francisco (5-3) came into the game leading the West Coast Conference in field goal percentage at 50.6%, but the Sun Devils held the Dons' to a season low 36.4% from the field and a minuscule 16.7% from beyond the arc, both keys to the victory.
Frankie Collins posted a team-high 21 points on an efficient 7-of-11 from the field, including going 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. He added eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, delivering an all-around effort. Jamiya Neal recorded his second career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, joining his Jan. 8, 2023 performance against Washington. Alonzo Gaffney, Jose Perez and Bryant Selebague all contributed 12 points apiece in the win.
KEY MOMENTS:
- The Sun Devils opened the contest on an 8-0 run thanks to threes by Collins and Neal, followed by a Perez jumper. The Don's went 5:33 before they recorded their first field goal.
- From 12:26 to 7:01 the Sun Devils went 6-for-8 from the field to extend their lead to 12 after Alonzo Gaffney knocked down a corner three, pushing the score to 28-16.
- After the Don's cut the deficit to four to start the second half, the Sun Devils went on a 15-2 run over a 5:53 stretch to take a 51-34 lead.
- The Sun Devils went on a quick 8-0 run in 1:32 down the stretch to push the lead back to 16 points after the Dons' cut the lead to six late in the 2nd half.
- San Francisco shot a season low 36.5% from the field going 23-of-63. It's tied for the fewest shots made in a game this year. In fact, it's the fourth lowest percentage shot by the Don's since the start of the 2022 season.
- The opposition was smothered by Arizona State's defense, shooting 5-of-30 from three (16.7%). It was San Francisco's lowest clip all season and third lowest since the start of the 2022 season.
- The Sun Devils have now caused their opponents to commit double-digit turnovers in six of the last seven games this year. ASU has managed to also collect at least five steals in all seven of its contests.
- Frankie Collins' posted 21 points Sunday Afternoon, achieving a season high with his second-career game with 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 3 assists.
- It only took the junior 14 minutes to score 10 points in the first half, going 4-of-5 from the field and an efficient 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.
- Since the start of the 2022 season, Collins now has 11 games with 3+ steals, and his fifth game in the last seven this year with three or more steals.
- He also managed two blocks on the day, a new career-high.
- Jamiya Neal recorded his second double-double of his collegiate career with 14 points and 11, his first since January 8 against Washington where he scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the win.
- Neal finished with nine points in the first half against the Dons', a season-high for most points in the first half.
- Bryant Selebangue scored a season high 12 points on the day, his second contest this season reaching double figures on an efficient 5-of-7 from the field. He also grabbed four rebounds.
- The Tulsa transfer has shot over 50% in all seven games this season and has shot over 70% in three of the last four games.
- Jose Perez finished with 12 points this afternoon and his fourth straight game achieving 10+ points and 5+ rebounds.
- Alonzo Gaffney netted 12 points in the win. His third straight game reaching double-digits and his second game this year sinking multiple three's in a game.
- Today's victory marks the second time this season that the Sun Devils have had five players in double-figures, the first coming in a 71-69 victory over UMass Lowell.
FRANKIE COLLINS TOP SCORING GAMES
23 at Texas Southern/Nov. 13, 2022
21 vs. San Francisco/Dec. 3, 2023
21 vs. Tarleton/Nov. 7, 2022
16 at Washington State/Jan. 28, 2023
15 at Stanford/Feb. 9, 2023
15 at Washington/Jan. 26, 2023
15 vs. VCU/Nov. 16, 2022 at Brooklyn
FIRST HALF:
Jose Perez found an open Jimaya Neal on the right-wing to then knock down an open three at 19:45, Perez then drained a mid-range jumper, on the ensuing possession, Neal snagged a rebound and found an open Frankie Collins to give ASU an 8-0 lead at the 17:57 mark in the first quarter, forcing an early Don timeout.
San Francisco got their first basket at the 14:27 mark of the half, prompting a 12-4 lead at the first media timeout. Neal converted on back-to-back baskets after forcing the Don's sixth turnover of the game with 12 minutes in the opening period holding a 16-6 lead.
The Dons cut the lead to six after converting their second three of the half, but back-to-back slams by Neal and Selebangue quickly pushed the lead back to ten with 9:10 remaining in the half.
Both sides traded baskets for the next three minutes of play that featured Collins' swiftly driving to the basket for a layup and Gaffney knocking down a corner three. ASU held a 28-18 lead at the 6:20 mark.
After a stifling defensive effort from both sides, Collin's hit a jumper from the left wing to notch his fourth basket of the day with 1:14 left in the half, giving him 10 points on the day. ASU would lead 36-28 going into the break
SECOND HALF:
San Francisco managed to cut the lead to four to start the half, but the Sun Devils made the next three baskets, two coming from Selebangue to push the lead to 42-32 with 17:15 in regulation.
Selebangue knocked down two free throws after the Dons' converted on a layup to lead 44-34, from there Neal, and Collins' knocked down jumpers along with Gaffney draining a three from the left wing to lead 51-34 forcing a San Francisco timeout with 12:34 left in the game.
Following the timeout San Francisco manufactured an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to eight, 53-45 at the nine minute mark in regulation. Selebangue put an end to the stretch with a layup making it 55-45 with 7:30 left.
Collins knocked back-to-back free throws to keep to lead at 10 for ASU at the 7:11 mark, and tacked on two more points giving the Sun Devils a 60-47 advantage. After Neal snagged a rebound he drove coast-to-coast whereas he converted a three-point play extending the lead to 16, 63-47.
The Sun Devil lead would never get under double-digits again after back-to-back buckets by Gaffney sealed the victory for ASU putting them ahead 71-59 inside the final two minutes.
UP NEXT:
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will finish their three-game home stand at Desert Financial Arena and face SMU. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. MST and can be seen on Fox Sports 1 and can be heard on the radio waves on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM with Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on the call. Tickets for Sun Devil Men's Basketball 2023-24 non-conference games are on sale now. Visit the following link for more information. Conference games are available to purchase. Ticket packages start at just $90 and the home schedule features match-ups against top ranked USC, UCLA and Arizona. Season Tickets and Mini Plans are now available.
SUN DEVILS ON SOCIAL
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilHoops), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/SunDevilHoops/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com). Make sure you are following Coach Hurley on Twitter @BobbyHurley11.
Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley:
Opening Statement:
"Really solid performance. I felt the first half had really good defense, great energy on defense, activity, creating turnovers. We knew they are a precision offensive team that if you give them clean looks, they could really hurt you from three. The kid (Jonathan) Mogbo was a very good inside player. He had a great game overall for him but just like our approach to defense, the quality of how we played offense, some of it was again generated by our defense and getting into the open court and making good plays, but just good overall performance, happy."
On the game being close despite holding the lead the entire game:
"They're a good team, the film says it. I saw a lot of BYU in watching them just with inside and then a lot of guys that could shoot. I think some of our success with guarding the three point line was our closeouts. Like an example of that would be Frankie Collins closing out late in the game to (Marcus) Williams. Like he had to probably put an extra arc on the ball because of how high Frankie contested that shot. So we really, I thought did a good job of trying to speed them up there. Maybe it felt like there were six guys out there at times because we were really moving while rotating and pressuring them."
On the mindset coming into today's game after last year's 97-60 loss:
"I didn't talk much about it at all. Just trying to keep it in the present. And again, we have 10 new players that didn't go through that. So it was just me, a few of the coaches and Jamiya (Neal) Frankie (Collins) and Zo (Alonzo Gaffney). So I thanked them after, I thanked the new players for helping us get a great win today with the real understanding of what we all had to go through last year in that game."
On the emphasis of the guards and their defense:
"I think when I went to Vegas for media day, I talked about those two maybe being defensive and rebounding great defensive rebounding guards that Frankie and Jamiya. It was good to see them showing that and we obviously do need that and it was talked about because this team is gonna shoot a lot of threes. So when you shoot a lot of threes, you're gonna allow long rebounds. So you gotta make sure your guards are committed and invested in trying to rebound the ball and I tried to put a little carrot in front of them. "Hey, if you get a long rebound, you're closer to getting to the offensive end with the ball" and they all want to do that. So maybe that worked too."
Arizona State Guard Frankie Collins
On working on his defensive performance coming into this year:
"I don't think that was a pinpoint on what he wanted me to come back and do, but I think I played some pretty good defense last season. I think I'm just in a lot more shape and a lot better shape this season. So it's easier for me to keep my man in front and play while I defend, while tired, defend without fouling."
On the team getting its footing since the start of the season:
"I think we're learning to play together a lot really well, because at first it was a little shaky, we were trying to find out what spots, where we go, and kind of messing up with our sets and kind of just all over the place. I think now we got a better understanding after getting a couple of games under our belt, being more comfortable and understanding where people want their shots and understanding how hard we got to play as a team and just playing together."
Arizona State Forward Bryant Selebangue
On how things are on the front court despite some injuries:
"I think we're doing pretty good. It's demanding from the bench, we've got a couple of freshmen coming off the bench, they've been producing. So I think it's really been a work in progress, we're waiting for a couple of guys to get back, we're just taking it game by game."
On the what the transition has been like and becoming more comfortable this season:
"Oh yes. Game by game, definitely easing into it. My mindset for the first game is definitely different from my mindset now. The transition I feel like is way faster playing with a guard like Frankie to push you. You have to be more up tempo and that's something I had to adjust to in the offseason, my body and making sure I'm able to run down the court with these guys. But it's been a great adjustment, love it here."