Nov. 16, 1997
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| Jeremy Veal led the Sun Devils with a career-high 32 points. (file photo) |
Sun Devils Win Season-Opener
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State started the 1997-98 men's basketball campaign on the right foot, with a 97-91 victory over Cal State Northridge at the University Activity Center Sunday afternoon. Senior Jeremy Veal led the Sun Devils with a career-high 32 points while Syracuse transfer Bobby Lazor contributed 22 in his ASU debut, shooting 9-of-11 from the field.
ASU shot a sizzling 58.1 percent from the field in the game as all but one Sun Devil shot 50 percent or better. The Sun Devils held the Matadors (0-1) to 42 percent shooting from the field, including a 35.7 percent clip in the first half - when ASU built a 44-39 lead.
ASU relied heavily on its starting lineup of Lazor, Veal, Mike Batiste, Eddie House and Ahlon Lewis, as the five accounted for all but 30 minutes played. Jason Patton was the Sun Devils most effective reserve -- scoring nine points and grabbing three rebounds.
Rebounding was what resulted in most of Northridge's points, grabbing 28 offensive boards and outrebounding ASU 47-40 for the game. Five Matadors had three or more offensive rebounds with 6-9 freshman Brian Heinle leading the way with seven. Second chances resulted in Northridge attempting 83 shots, compared to ASU's 62.
The difference in the game for the Sun Devils was the play of Veal and Lazor. Veal registered his 27th 20-point game of his ASU career while Lazor showed ASU will have a 6-9 big man with a repertoire of post moves and a nice touch for the next two seasons.
In the last three minutes of the game - when ASU outscored Northridge 11-5 to secure the win - Lazor knocked down a jumper, threw down a dunk, made a crucial steal and subsequent free throw to lead ASU to the win. Veal steadied the Sun Devils for the entire game, especially in the second half when he scored 19 of his 32 points.
The win was ASU's first under interim head coach Don Newman. The game had a familiar look for Newman, who coached in the Big Sky for the past five seasons against the Matadors.
ASU returns to action this Wednesday, November 19, with a first round Chase Preseason NIT game against Wagner. Tipoff is set for 7:00 MST in the UAC.