TEMPE – Jamiya Neal led the way with a game-high 19 points to help Sun Devil Men's Basketball finish off their second straight conference sweep with a thrilling 76-73 win over Colorado Saturday night at Desert Financial Arena.
Arizona State (10-5, 4-0 Pac-12) improved to 4-0 in conference play, the first time the program has gotten off to that good a start in league play since 2007-08. The Sun Devils registered a season-high eight blocks, three from Alonzo Gaffney, who was responsible for the game-sealing block with under a minute remaining. Neal led the way with 19 points followed by 18 points from Adam Miller and 12 points from Frankie Collins. The Maroon & Gold earned their first home sweep over the Mountain school since doing it in back-to-back years in 2012-13 & 2013-14.
KEY MOMENTS:
FIRST HALF:
Jose Perez had a wide open three to give the Sun Devils the early 5-4 lead at the 15:59 mark in the first half.
The Buffaloes were held without a field goal for 2:25, but gained a 13-10 lead on a three that was the start of a 8-0 run to put them ahead 18-10. A jumper from Kamari Lands and a three from Frankie Collins made it 18-15 with 9:57 left in the first half.
A three from Alonzo Gaffney and a layup from Jamiya Neal tied the game up 20-20, but Colorado regained the lead on a three to make it 23-20 with 8:09 left.
A three from Adam Miller cut the Sun Devils' deficit to one to make it 25-24 with 7:02 remaining. The Buffaloes made four straight free throws to lead 29-24, but a pair of made free throws from Neal made it 29-26 to begin a 13-0 run for Arizona State.
A three by Miller with the assist from Perez tied the game up 31-31 going into the final TV timeout of the half.
A Perez jumper gave the Sun Devils the lead as they went on a 3:27 run to lead 39-31 with 2:43 left in the game. Colorado disrupted ASU's run with a pair of made free throws but the Sun Devils regained their eight point lead off a Miller jumper.
A pair of free throws and a three point jumper by the Buffaloes brought them within three of the Sun Devils with 52 seconds left in the opening frame. A free throw coupled with a layup from Perez made it 44-38 at halftime.
SECOND HALF:
Frankie Collins opened the second half with a layup to add up to the Sun Devils' lead, but the Buffaloes quickly added a field goal of their own to begin a quick 6-0 run to make it 46-44 with 17:10 left. An alley oop from Neal ended the run for Colorado.
The Buffaloes cut the lead to one on a three but Miller drained a pair of free throws to make it 51-48 with 14:24 left in regulation.
A basket from Neal put the Sun Devils up by five and a three by him made it 56-48 with 12:05 left.
Colorado called a timeout with ASU ahead 63-53 after a Bryant Selebangue layup with 9:09 left in the game.
The Buffaloes had back-to-back field goals to bring it within six and they added two free throws after the under-eight timeout with ASU ahead with 7:39 left in regulation. A layup made it a 6-0 run for Colorado to pull within two.
A Selebangue layup plus the free throw helped bring the Sun Devil lead up to five, but a layup plus a three from the Buffaloes tied it up 66-66 with 4:53 left.
After the final media timeout, the two teams traded baskets until the Sun Devils took the lead a pair of free throws by Miller and a block from Gaffney.
Two free throws from Collins made it 75-70, but the Buffaloes hit a three with 8.3 left to make it a two point contest.
Collins hit the second of two free throws for the Sun Devils to hold on for the 76-73 win.
UP NEXT:
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will travel to Seattle for a road tilt against Washington on January 11 at 9 p.m. MST. Coverage can be seen on FS1 along with being 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 conference games are still available. Packages start at just $90 and the home schedule features match-ups against top ranked USC, UCLA and Arizona. Check out our Season Tickets and Mini Plans options. For more information or questions, please call 480-965-5812 or email sundeviltickets@asu.edu.
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: "We're no stranger to these types of games. So we're in close games, guys came, came through with stops. Selebangue's block was huge. Alonzo Gaffney's block was huge because sometimes people in this building get frustrated when he misses a shot. Just yell at me then. Tell me I'm horrible at my job if Alonzo Gaffney misses the shot. Just start yelling, Hurley stop, or whatever you want to say. Please avoid the gasps when Alonzo Gaffney misses a shot because Alonzo Gaffney just helped us win a basketball game by blocking a shot and then securing the ball. Outside of that, I'm going to stay very positive because I thought it was a great performance on both ends of the floor. Adam Miller was great on offense in the first half. Jamiya Neal had arguably his best all around game. His block in the second half was huge on Simpson. His dunk on a putback. It wasn't just his shots off the dribble, so, very happy to see him play well. We have something good happening right now. We just got to bottle it and just try to strive to play the kind of basketball we've played in the last 10 days or so."
On adjustments with the team before heading into conference play:
"I think it was soul searching after the Northwestern game and having those hard conversations about what direction we want the season to go. Everybody needs to sacrifice and we need to not fight each other. We need to collectively go after our opponent. I see that our attitude is better, our approach is better, our unselfishness is better. You could just see there's a better team dynamic right now. Even if we would have lost this game, I would have walked out of here very proud of our effort."
On being 4-0 in the Pac-12 so far:
"Yeah, you gotta be happy with where you are. I think it shows the guys, if we play the right way, we trust each other, we compete like heck on defense like we've been these last few games, then we got a chance to be pretty good. These last two teams that came in here, have good records. Playing very well and then they got da Silva back. He didn't look like he missed much action with how he played, he's really good. Simpson is one of the best guards, not only in our conference but in the country. So tough matchups. they're a really good team, so we're happy with where we are today."
Arizona State Guard Jamiya Neal:
On responding to the up-and-down non-conference schedule as conference play begins:
"Honestly, I felt like it was more of trying to get more acclimated with each other. It's hard when even Jose (Perez) is pretty new. Then you add Adam (Miller) obviously and then the lineups keep changing and rotation keeps changing and then obviously Sean (Phillips) is hurt. Now he's coming back. So, now we have everybody and we're showing it, and we get to practice with everybody and try different groups and stuff. So that's what's been helping us, we're more comfortable with each other. So, now we look like more of a basketball team out there because we have everybody back and we're playing with each other."
On having his best all-around performance tonight:
"It definitely feels good. It's always been there but obviously I haven't been off to the start I wanted to have this season, but it's a long season. I'm just trying to get better game by game and just help our team win. Tonight, I've seen that a lot of guys weren't… we were off to a slow start. So, I tried to bring my energy in the game every way I can: rebounding, scoring, deflections, any way I can."
Arizona State Guard Adam Miller:
On what the last few weeks have been like on and off the court: .
"Tough. I thought about this a couple of days ago. Everybody kept asking me and telling me 'you must be so happy to be playing'. Honestly, I was still really upset. I told them I was happy to be able to be playing. But, last summer was the first summer since before I tore my ACL that I actually had a full summer to prepare for a season. I prepared my ass off. I worked so hard. I worked with these guys, went out overseas with these guys, played with them. Didn't play a scrimmage, barely any of the non-conference games. So, it was upsetting, but I was just grateful for the opportunity and I've just been trying to… this game and coming home, I've just been trying to find my rhythm because that first game I came out pretty hot and I think I let myself think like, 'Okay, I'm good now'. Then that second game I'm like, 'Okay, I have to still work my way back into this.' So, I think this week for me was just 'find your rhythm' and I got a good rhythm in this game."
On being able to control the defensive aspect of his game and if it's based on effort:
"Yeah, it's 100 percent effort, then comes IQ. Knowing what you can do, when to be aggressive. I've only played, I think this is my third year. But this is honestly my fourth year. I've seen a lot of coaches, I've played in a lot of systems. Defense is what you need to win these types of games. I think that's how we pulled this game out. I think Alonzo (Gaffney) got that last block. That's how you win games. And for me I just understand it. I've always been a three-and-D guy. So, it's second nature for me and to be a leader, I feel like I can always lead in that aspect on the floor. Vocally and just showing it. As a leader, you can always say you want to do it, but you just gotta show it, and I think that helps our team, too."
Arizona State (10-5, 4-0 Pac-12) improved to 4-0 in conference play, the first time the program has gotten off to that good a start in league play since 2007-08. The Sun Devils registered a season-high eight blocks, three from Alonzo Gaffney, who was responsible for the game-sealing block with under a minute remaining. Neal led the way with 19 points followed by 18 points from Adam Miller and 12 points from Frankie Collins. The Maroon & Gold earned their first home sweep over the Mountain school since doing it in back-to-back years in 2012-13 & 2013-14.
KEY MOMENTS:
- A pair of made free throws made by Neal started a 13-0 run for the Sun Devils over 3:29 to take a 39-31 lead with 2:43 left in the first half. During that run, the Buffaloes had five turnovers.
- The Buffaloes brought it within four with less than a minute left in the first half but a free throw and a layup from Perez made it 44-38 at halftime.
- The Sun Devils had their largest lead of the game of 10 after a layup by Bryant Selebangue to lead 63-53 with 9:09 left in the game.
- An 8-0 run by Colorado brought them within two with 6:37 left and the Buffaloes knotted up the game 66-66 with 4:53 left.
- The two teams traded baskets from that point until an Alonzo Gaffney block and a Miller's two free throws gave the Sun Devils the lead. A pair of free throws from Collins made it a five point game, but a Buffaloes three made it 75-73 with 8.8 seconds left.
- Collins made a free throw to made it 76-73 as the Sun Devils held on to win the game.
- It's the first time since the 2007-08 season that the Sun Devils are 4-0 in Pac-12 play and for the fourth time in program history.
- BEST PAC-10/12 STARTS
- 1979-80 (5-0)
- 1987-88 (4-0)
- 2007-08 (4-0)
- 2023-24 (4-0)
- BEST PAC-10/12 STARTS
- The win keeps ASU a perfect 7-0 at Desert Financial Arena this season.
- Dating back to last season, ASU has won 10 of their last 12 at Desert Financial Arena.
- So far this season, ASU is outscoring opponents 518-460 at home.
- Arizona State is now 5-1 in games decided by six points or less this season.
- Arizona State is now 40-19 (.678) in close games over the past five seasons. The 40 wins are the most in the nation during that span.
- ASU is now 5-0 in games decided by three points or fewer this season.
- ASU has now scored 40 or more points in five of their last seven halves (44 in the first half this evening).
- With 76 total points this evening, the Sun Devils improve to 10-1 on the season when scoring 60+ points in a contest.
- ASU finished with 27 points off of turnovers (with 20 of those points coming in the first half) in addition to 21 fast break points and 28 points in the paint.
- The victory moves the Sun Devils to 8-4 at home all time against the Buffaloes.
- The victory this evening is the second straight over a quad one opponent.
- ASU had 11 steals from the Buffaloes, the sixth game this season having 10 or more steals in a single game.
- The Sun Devils are 5-1 in such games this season.
- Jamiya Neal's 19 points mark a team high for the game and his fourth game scoring 15 or more in his collegiate career, his first coming against San Francisco this season.
- Neal additionally led the team with four steals, which ties his season high.
- Adam Miller scored 18 points, with 14 points in the first half. He shot an efficient 5-for-8, including 3-for-5 beyond the arc, to help the Sun Devils score 44 points in the first half.
- Four different players managed to secure blocks, notching a season high with eight tonight.
FIRST HALF:
Jose Perez had a wide open three to give the Sun Devils the early 5-4 lead at the 15:59 mark in the first half.
The Buffaloes were held without a field goal for 2:25, but gained a 13-10 lead on a three that was the start of a 8-0 run to put them ahead 18-10. A jumper from Kamari Lands and a three from Frankie Collins made it 18-15 with 9:57 left in the first half.
A three from Alonzo Gaffney and a layup from Jamiya Neal tied the game up 20-20, but Colorado regained the lead on a three to make it 23-20 with 8:09 left.
A three from Adam Miller cut the Sun Devils' deficit to one to make it 25-24 with 7:02 remaining. The Buffaloes made four straight free throws to lead 29-24, but a pair of made free throws from Neal made it 29-26 to begin a 13-0 run for Arizona State.
A three by Miller with the assist from Perez tied the game up 31-31 going into the final TV timeout of the half.
A Perez jumper gave the Sun Devils the lead as they went on a 3:27 run to lead 39-31 with 2:43 left in the game. Colorado disrupted ASU's run with a pair of made free throws but the Sun Devils regained their eight point lead off a Miller jumper.
A pair of free throws and a three point jumper by the Buffaloes brought them within three of the Sun Devils with 52 seconds left in the opening frame. A free throw coupled with a layup from Perez made it 44-38 at halftime.
SECOND HALF:
Frankie Collins opened the second half with a layup to add up to the Sun Devils' lead, but the Buffaloes quickly added a field goal of their own to begin a quick 6-0 run to make it 46-44 with 17:10 left. An alley oop from Neal ended the run for Colorado.
The Buffaloes cut the lead to one on a three but Miller drained a pair of free throws to make it 51-48 with 14:24 left in regulation.
A basket from Neal put the Sun Devils up by five and a three by him made it 56-48 with 12:05 left.
Colorado called a timeout with ASU ahead 63-53 after a Bryant Selebangue layup with 9:09 left in the game.
The Buffaloes had back-to-back field goals to bring it within six and they added two free throws after the under-eight timeout with ASU ahead with 7:39 left in regulation. A layup made it a 6-0 run for Colorado to pull within two.
A Selebangue layup plus the free throw helped bring the Sun Devil lead up to five, but a layup plus a three from the Buffaloes tied it up 66-66 with 4:53 left.
After the final media timeout, the two teams traded baskets until the Sun Devils took the lead a pair of free throws by Miller and a block from Gaffney.
Two free throws from Collins made it 75-70, but the Buffaloes hit a three with 8.3 left to make it a two point contest.
Collins hit the second of two free throws for the Sun Devils to hold on for the 76-73 win.
UP NEXT:
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will travel to Seattle for a road tilt against Washington on January 11 at 9 p.m. MST. Coverage can be seen on FS1 along with being 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 conference games are still available. Packages start at just $90 and the home schedule features match-ups against top ranked USC, UCLA and Arizona. Check out our Season Tickets and Mini Plans options. For more information or questions, please call 480-965-5812 or email sundeviltickets@asu.edu.
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: "We're no stranger to these types of games. So we're in close games, guys came, came through with stops. Selebangue's block was huge. Alonzo Gaffney's block was huge because sometimes people in this building get frustrated when he misses a shot. Just yell at me then. Tell me I'm horrible at my job if Alonzo Gaffney misses the shot. Just start yelling, Hurley stop, or whatever you want to say. Please avoid the gasps when Alonzo Gaffney misses a shot because Alonzo Gaffney just helped us win a basketball game by blocking a shot and then securing the ball. Outside of that, I'm going to stay very positive because I thought it was a great performance on both ends of the floor. Adam Miller was great on offense in the first half. Jamiya Neal had arguably his best all around game. His block in the second half was huge on Simpson. His dunk on a putback. It wasn't just his shots off the dribble, so, very happy to see him play well. We have something good happening right now. We just got to bottle it and just try to strive to play the kind of basketball we've played in the last 10 days or so."
On adjustments with the team before heading into conference play:
"I think it was soul searching after the Northwestern game and having those hard conversations about what direction we want the season to go. Everybody needs to sacrifice and we need to not fight each other. We need to collectively go after our opponent. I see that our attitude is better, our approach is better, our unselfishness is better. You could just see there's a better team dynamic right now. Even if we would have lost this game, I would have walked out of here very proud of our effort."
On being 4-0 in the Pac-12 so far:
"Yeah, you gotta be happy with where you are. I think it shows the guys, if we play the right way, we trust each other, we compete like heck on defense like we've been these last few games, then we got a chance to be pretty good. These last two teams that came in here, have good records. Playing very well and then they got da Silva back. He didn't look like he missed much action with how he played, he's really good. Simpson is one of the best guards, not only in our conference but in the country. So tough matchups. they're a really good team, so we're happy with where we are today."
Arizona State Guard Jamiya Neal:
On responding to the up-and-down non-conference schedule as conference play begins:
"Honestly, I felt like it was more of trying to get more acclimated with each other. It's hard when even Jose (Perez) is pretty new. Then you add Adam (Miller) obviously and then the lineups keep changing and rotation keeps changing and then obviously Sean (Phillips) is hurt. Now he's coming back. So, now we have everybody and we're showing it, and we get to practice with everybody and try different groups and stuff. So that's what's been helping us, we're more comfortable with each other. So, now we look like more of a basketball team out there because we have everybody back and we're playing with each other."
On having his best all-around performance tonight:
"It definitely feels good. It's always been there but obviously I haven't been off to the start I wanted to have this season, but it's a long season. I'm just trying to get better game by game and just help our team win. Tonight, I've seen that a lot of guys weren't… we were off to a slow start. So, I tried to bring my energy in the game every way I can: rebounding, scoring, deflections, any way I can."
Arizona State Guard Adam Miller:
On what the last few weeks have been like on and off the court: .
"Tough. I thought about this a couple of days ago. Everybody kept asking me and telling me 'you must be so happy to be playing'. Honestly, I was still really upset. I told them I was happy to be able to be playing. But, last summer was the first summer since before I tore my ACL that I actually had a full summer to prepare for a season. I prepared my ass off. I worked so hard. I worked with these guys, went out overseas with these guys, played with them. Didn't play a scrimmage, barely any of the non-conference games. So, it was upsetting, but I was just grateful for the opportunity and I've just been trying to… this game and coming home, I've just been trying to find my rhythm because that first game I came out pretty hot and I think I let myself think like, 'Okay, I'm good now'. Then that second game I'm like, 'Okay, I have to still work my way back into this.' So, I think this week for me was just 'find your rhythm' and I got a good rhythm in this game."
On being able to control the defensive aspect of his game and if it's based on effort:
"Yeah, it's 100 percent effort, then comes IQ. Knowing what you can do, when to be aggressive. I've only played, I think this is my third year. But this is honestly my fourth year. I've seen a lot of coaches, I've played in a lot of systems. Defense is what you need to win these types of games. I think that's how we pulled this game out. I think Alonzo (Gaffney) got that last block. That's how you win games. And for me I just understand it. I've always been a three-and-D guy. So, it's second nature for me and to be a leader, I feel like I can always lead in that aspect on the floor. Vocally and just showing it. As a leader, you can always say you want to do it, but you just gotta show it, and I think that helps our team, too."