HONOLULU – Sun Devil Men’s Basketball defeated Hawai'i, 83-76, on Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Arizona State (4-1) passed their first road test of the season, handing Hawai'i (4-2) their first home loss of the season (previously 4-0). The Maroon and Gold exploded for 49 points in the second half against a team that came into the game allowing only 61 points per game, a Top-25 total nationally.
Head Coach Bobby Hurley moved to 12-7 in road non-conference games while at the helm in Tempe. The program was a combined 9-21 in the previous 30 years prior to his arrival. ASU also earned the victory after trailing at halftime, the 49th comeback victory in Hurley's tenure.
The Sun Devil backcourt stepped up in a major way, delivering clutch performances to help the Sun Devils erase the deficit and emerge late in the game. Guard Bryce Ford scored a career-high 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, making 3-of-5 three point shots while adding two steals. Fellow starting guard Moe Odum took over the game down the stretch, scoring nine of his 14 points after the break. The final piece of the standout guard trio was Anthony "Pig" Johnson, who provided an essential spark with a 16-point effort, 13 of which came in the second half.
Men's Basketball passes first road test at Hawai'i
Arizona State defeated Hawai'i, 83-76, at the Stan Sherriff Center in their first road game of the season.
Men's basketball team huddle in win over Hawai'i
Men's basketball team huddle in win over Hawai'i
Series history
Arizona State and Hawai'i matched up for the 13th time, with the Sun Devils now holding a 9-4 edge in the series. ASU now has a 6-3 advantage in games played in Honolulu.
History in Hawai'i
Coach Hurley is no stranger to playing at the University of Hawai'i, having won the 1989 Rainbow Classic held at the Stan Sheriff Center while a player at Duke.
Second half surge
For the second straight game, the Sun Devils overwhelmed their opponent in the second half. They outscored the Rainbow Warriors 49-41 after the break, helping them secure a 7-point victory. Anthony "Pig" Johnson was a big reason why, as he finished with 13 of his 16 points in the second half. Arizona State had an 8-2 advantage in turnovers and attempted 24 free throws over the final 20 minutes. ASU has now outscored their opponents 90-64 in the second half over the past two games.
4-1 start
The Sun Devils have started 4-1 for the second consecutive season. It is their fifth 4-1 start in the Bobby Hurley era.
Pushing the pace
Through five games, the Sun Devils have been one of the nation's best teams in transition. They have finished with more fast-break points than their opponent in all five games, eclipsing 20 points in three of those contests. ASU outscored Hawai'i 17-5, including a 15-0 margin in the second half. Over the past two games (Hawai'i, Georgia State), the Sun Devils have a 44-10 edge in fast break points.
Don't count us out
The Sun Devils have come back to win a game when trailing at halftime 49 times during the Bobby Hurley era. Today's game was the second time that has happened this season. This is the 22nd comeback that came on the road. Since 2015-16, the Maroon and Gold are in the top 40 in the nation in halftime comeback victories. Here is the full list of comebacks.
Bench boost
Arizona State's bench was dominant yet again. After a 32-9 edge in bench points tonight, the Sun Devils now hold a 126-78 (+48) advantage in bench points this season. Anthony "Pig" Johnson led the way with his third double-digit scoring output this season. Allen Mukeba added eight points and five rebounds, while Noah Meeusen added three steals.
The Moe Show
Coming into the contest, Moe Odum was averaging 7.0 assists/game, which was tied for 14th nationally and second in the Big 12 Conference. He finished with six assists tonight and has now led the team in assists with 6+ assists in all five games of the season. He now sits with 36 assists through five games, which puts him on a 230 pace over a 32 game season. This would be the third-highest in program history, only behind Ahlon Lewis’ 294 assists in the 1998 season.
Single season assists record
294 – Ahlon Lewis, 1998
233 – Marcell Capers, 1995
230 - Moe Odum, 2025* (36 through 5 games)
200 – Marcell Capers, 1993
185 – Mike Redhair, 1990
177 – Jahii Carson, 2013
*32-game pace
"It was a breakout game for Bryce Ford offensively. He played really well. He is showing that he can do something like that throughout the summer, but this was the first time it has come out in a game."
Coach Hurley on Bryce FordGot the dub in Honolulu 😈 pic.twitter.com/auMlGTVfED
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 21, 2025
Notables
- Massamba Diop made an impact in many ways in tonight's victory. He finished with 10 points, five rebounds, one steal, and one block in 24 minutes. He has had at least one steal in every game and at least one block in four of five contests.
- The Sun Devils finished with 11 steals, their most this season. It is the most since they had 11 in a triple overtime contest at Texas Tech last season.
- ASU now has nine or more steals in three of their first five games. The team only had five in 33 games all of last year.
- Hawai'i came into the game allowing only 61.6 points per game, the 23rd-best total in the nation. ASU scored a season-high 83 points. The most the Rainbow Warriors had previous allowed was 74 in a win over East Texas A&M.
- ASU started the game 2-of-11 (18.2%) from the field. They made 24 of their last 51 attempts (47%).
- ASU started the game 0-of-5 from the free throw line. They made 24 of their last 32 attempts (75%), including several clutch makes at the end of regulation.
- Noah Meeusen's defense has been key for the Sun Devils since his return from injury. In 30 minutes combined over the past two games, he has accounted for five steals, including recording three steals in 13 minutes in tonight's win.
- Moe Odum had six assists and now has six or more in all five games. He now has 5 or more assists in 35 of his past 38 games.
- Arizona State scored 49 points in the second half, the most they have scored in a single half all season.
- The Sun Devils finished with 12 offensive rebounds, their second straight game reaching double figures in the category. ASU had only seven instances with 10 or more offensive rebounds last year.
- The Maroon and Gold's intense and smart defensive effort bothered the Rainbow Warrios. ASU forced Hawai'i to committ 17 turnovers and they turned those into 14 points. By contrast, ASU only committed eight turnovers, only two of which came in the second half.
First half
The Sun Devils relied on a solid defensive effort while they shook off a slow offensive start. They held Hawai’I to just a 3-of-9 start from the field, including a 1-of-4 mark from three-point range. The hosts held a 9-4 lead at the first media timeout.
ASU was not deterred by the early deficit, as Pig Johnson came off the bench and provided a spark. He hit three of his four free throws, part of a run that tied the game at 16. The two teams proceeded to exchange baskets, as the frontline of Trouet and Diop scored on back-to-back possessions. Ford and Diop helped keep the Rainbow Warriors within striking distance, converting on chances around the rim.
Arizona State used a little good fortune to take their first lead of the game with 45 seconds left in the half, as Meeusen received the benefit of a shooter’s roll on a three-point attempt to put the visitors in front 34-33. On their final possession of the half, Hawai’I retook the lead with a pair of free throws. Coach Hurley would be in need of another one of his signature halftime comebacks.
HE'S HEATING UP 😈@BryceFord21 ties the game at 47! He has a game-high 17 points! pic.twitter.com/tAl7UfvVgQ
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 21, 2025
Second half
A strong start from Ford set the tone offensively for the second half with the pace beginning to pick up. He scored a quick ten points, including a pair of threes, to put the Sun Devils back in front by the time of the first media timeout.
Hawai’I answered with a 7-0 run over a 1:22 span gave them their largest lead of the game to that point, pulling ahead 54-47. Johnson came through with a much-needed three points on the next two possessions, attacking the basket to cut into the lead. Diop became the second Sun Devil in double figures by converting on a pair of free throws to slow down the hot shooting Rainbow Warriors.
Johnson proceeded to take over the offense, using his quickness to get to the rim and convert on back-to-back opportunities. He then hit a corner three to thwart what could have been a Hawai’I run. Instead, ASU went on an 8-0 run of their own to tie the game, finished off by Mukeba in the paint.
Despite trailing by as many as eight, the Sun Devils managed to claw their way back and take the lead, with Moe Odum hitting a pair from the line to put ASU up 67-65. The Sun Devils showed poise and toughness to not relent the lead, staying in front the rest of the contest.
A big reason for their composure was the play of their backcourt duo Johnson/Odum. Each came through with significant plays down the stretch, including finishes at the rim and free throws. An unsung hero in the second half was Allen Mukeba, whose activity and argressiveness were a difference maker. He had eight points and four rebounds in 12 minutes of second half action. Key plays in key moments by Arizona State's veterans allowed them to pull away late, sealing a 83-76 road victory.
Quotables
Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley
“I thought it was a very competitive game. Every time we went down seven or eight, it seemed like we always had a response and would step up and made shots. It was a breakout game for Bryce Ford offensively. He played really well. He is showing that he can do something like that throughout the summer, but this was the first time it has come out in a game. We were able to take advantage of them in some ball screens and get to the basket. Both him (Bryce Ford) and Moe Odum were very effective in those areas.”
Senior guard Moe Odum
On the team victory
“I feel like we showed what a team is. Through ups and downs, we didn't pout. Basketball is a game of runs, don't let them sustain their run and let's make ours."
On Bryce Ford's performance
“My shot wasn't always falling, but we had Bryce picking me up. He was setting up on the wing or in the corner and I was trying to find him coming off the pick and rolls. Him and Pig Johnson just put us on their backs."
On looking ahead to Maui
“I am excited. It is everyone's first time playing in Maui. I told them we are going to burn out every game and we can rest when we get back."
Up next
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will remain in Hawai'i, but will head to a different island next week. Arizona State participates in the Maui Invitational, taking on Texas in the first round on Nov. 24 at 9:30 p.m. MST. The broadcast can be found on ESPN2 with the game also available on ESPN 620 (KTAR).
Taking on the Longhorns in Maui 😈 pic.twitter.com/5orCRQoWd0
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) July 29, 2025
Sun Devils on social
For exclusive content, the latest updates, and more information on the Sun Devil Men’s Basketball program, follow our X and Instagram accounts, like our Facebook page, and visit sundevils.com.
Head coach Bobby Hurley (X: @BobbyHurley11)