ASU MBB: Holder’s Late Free Throws Edge Colorado

Jan 5, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Tra Holder (0) attempts a layup over Colorado Buffaloes guard Josh Fortune (44) during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 78-77. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Tra Holder (0) attempts a layup over Colorado Buffaloes guard Josh Fortune (44) during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 78-77. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU Basketball picked up its first home Pac-12 win in thrilling fashion, edging Colorado 78-77 on two free throws by Tra Holder with 1.6 seconds left.

Through 39 minutes against Colorado, Tra Holder couldn’t buy a bucket. In the final seconds, he hit two.

After a 3-of-14 shooting night rattled the junior, Holder collected an offensive rebound and was fouled with his team trailing by one and 1.6 seconds on the clock.

Jan 5, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Tra Holder (0) is mobbed by teammates after defeating the Colorado Buffaloes at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 78-77. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Tra Holder (0) is mobbed by teammates after defeating the Colorado Buffaloes at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 78-77. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Calmly, he knocked down both shots and watched a desperation heave get tipped before a swarm of Sun Devils piled on top of the point guard, celebrating the team’s first home Pac-12 win of the season.

“Big time players make big time plays in big time games. He did that for us,” said Shannon Evans II

Following a late-game meltdown to California, the Arizona State Sun Devils composed themselves down the stretch and  responded to a Colorado rally behind 18 points apiece from Evans II and guard Torian Graham as well as forward Obinna Oleka’s ninth double-double of the season.

In the first half, the Sun Devils struggled to guard Buffaloes forward Xavier Johnson, who had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Johnson’s night was cut short when he and ASU big man Jethro Thisumpa were both assessed a flagrant foul 2 with 1:27 to play in the first half.

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In the absence of Johnson, senior guard Derrick White recorded 25 of his 35 points in the second half to reignite the Buffaloes offense, including a perfect 11-11 at the free throw line.

After Tshisumpa’s ejection and forward Ramon Vila fouled out with 5:37 remaining, the ASU bench was down to six players, forcing the Sun Devils to resort to small-ball the final five minutes.

“Sometimes you don’t have a bunch of guys, you need the right guys, I think right now we have the right guys” said head coach Bobby Hurley. ” All eight guys that are playing at this point, I have confidence in them, I trust them.

Hurley additionally commended Graham on his defense of White during the final minutes of the game.

With the win, Arizona State improves to 9-7 on the season with a 2-1 record in conference play. The Sun Devils have a quick turnaround with their game against Utah less than 48 hours away.

Next: ASU Basketball: Why Fan Should Not Focus on Record

ASU plays Utah on Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. MT at Wells Fargo Arena where the team will look to win consecutive conference games for the first time since March 2015. The game can be watched on Pac-12 Networks.