Despite a promising first half, ASU basketball failed to pick up their third straight win after a 71-86 loss to the Washington State Cougars. The season sweep by the Cougars brings the Sun Devils down to a 13-15 overall record (6-9 in the conference).
Senior forward Josh Hawkinson once again proved his dominance against ASU basketball, recording 14 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Hawkinson, who dropped his first 30 point game earlier this year against the Sun Devils, stepped up big for the Cougars in the final minutes recording 8 of his 14 points and 10 of his 15 rebounds in the second half.
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Before the second half adjustment, the Sun Devils displayed a show of hot shooting and aggressive defense, leading the Cougars 49-43 in the first half. Junior guard Shannon Evans II lead the Sun Devils with 21 points, 14 of which came from the first half.
Alongside hot shooting, the Sun Devils’ aggressive defense helped push through their lack of size in the first half. The Sun Devils’ defense, especially on transition, came away with 8 steals for the night forcing 15 turnovers for the Cougars.
However, the Cougars exploded big coming out of the half, going on a 7-0 run to open the second half and take the lead 50-49. The Cougars scored 24 of their 43 second half points in the paint after not only taking advantage of the Sun Devils’ lack of presence in the front court, with Jethro Tshisumpa being out of rotation, but also their significant size advantage with 6’10 Hawkinson and 7’0 foot starting center Conor Clifford who finished the night with 19 points and 4 rebounds.
Once again, Arizona State’s shooting ability, with guards Tra Holder (10 points) and Torian Graham (18 points) was not enough to overpower the Sun Devils’ glaring lack in size. A 12 point performance by the Sun Devils’ designated big man Obinna Oleka, alongside redshirt freshman Andre Adams with 4 points in 15 minutes of playing time, were not enough to back up the Sun Devils’ perimeter.
Next: ASU Basketball: Devils Avoid Collapse to Beat Washington
The Cougars sealed the game after a 14-0 run with less than three minutes left in the game, putting an end to their five game losing streak and taking the season series against the Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils will try their luck at home against No. 6 UCLA on Thursday, February 23 at Wells Fargo Arena.