May 17, 2001
The Arizona State men's basketball team outscored Nunawading 52-27 in the second half to win the opening game of its Australian Tour 92-62 on Thursday night at the Mill Park Basketball Stadium in Melbourne.
ASU, which arrived at its Australian hotel at 1 a.m. (Australian Time) after a 24-hour travel day on Tuesday (Wednesday in Australia), broke open a close game behind the play of juniors-to-be Tommy Smith and Kyle Dodd. Dodd had 15 points, including 6-of-8 from the field, while Smith had 15 points and 10 boards. Smith was 7-of-13 from the field and also added three blocks and two steals.
Justin Allen gave the Sun Devils a spark when he hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to give ASU a 40-35 lead after the Sun Devils trailed for most of the first half. Allen ended with 11 points, including three three-pointers. Chad Prewitt had 10 points, eight of them coming in the second half. It marked the first time in a game situation for Allen since it was announced he had Hodgkin's Disease.
Shawn Redhage added eight points and seven boards while Tanner Shell also added eight points.
The 24 hours of travelling and having to play that night seemed to take its toll on the Sun Devils early, as the game was played at 2 a.m. Arizona time (8 p.m. in Australia), as ASU had 11 turnovers in the first half and was just 7-of-14 from the line. But Dodd and Smith both scored early buckets in the second half and Allen drained two three-pointers as ASU pulled away.
ASU is scheduled to play again in Melbourne at 6 p.m. (Australian Time) on Friday, May 18, which is 1 a.m. on Friday in Arizona, as Australia is 17 hours ahead of Phoenix.
ASU 92, Nunawading 62 (Thursday, May 17)
ASU statistics
Player, FG-A, FT-A, 3P-A, REBS
Kyle Dodd 6-8, 3-4, 0-0, 3, 3 steals, 15 points
Chad Prewitt, 5-8, 0-2, 0-0, 6, 10 points
Tommy Smith 7-13, 1-2, 0-1, 10, 15 points
Donnell Knight, 3-6, 0-2, 0-0, 3 rebounds, 6 points
Awvee Storey, 3-6, 1-4, 0-0, 4 rebounds, 7 points
Tanner Shell, 4-11, 0-2, 0-2, 4 rebounds, 8 points
Justin Allen, 4-7, 0-0, 2-5, 3 rebounds, 11 points
Shawn Redhage, 4-8, 2-2, 0-0, 7 rebounds, 10 points
Brad Nahra, 2-7, 1-2, 1-1, 5 rebounds, 6 points
Jonathan Howard, 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 1 rebound, 3 assists
Tyson Johnston, 1-3, 2-3, 0-0, 4 rebounds, 4 points