Devils in Detail
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ASU MBB: Devils Escape Stanford in OT, Advance to Quarterfinals

By Zach Pekale

Mar 8, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Kodi Justice (44) gestures after scoring a three point play against the Stanford Cardinal during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Arizona State won the game in overtime, 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Kodi Justice (44) gestures after scoring a three point play against the Stanford Cardinal during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Arizona State won the game in overtime, 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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After weathering the storm of a 11-point collapse, ASU Basketball defeated Stanford 98-88 in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.

George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

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Arizona State’s last win at the Pac-12 Tournament came in 2013 came against Stanford in overtime. In that game, the Sun Devils won the matchup of the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds while allowing 88 points.

Jump ahead four years and ASU were losers of four straight conference tournament game heading into today’s game with Stanford. After being outscored 18-7 over the final 9:25, it appeared that losing streak would continue as the game headed to an extra period.

That is, until the Sun Devils erupted in overtime, going a perfect 5-5 from the floor and 3-3 from deep to put the Cardinal away and advance to quarterfinals of the tournament.

Mar 8, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Michael Humphrey (10) shoots inside the defense of Arizona State Sun Devils forward Obinna Oleka (5) during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Arizona State won the game in overtime, 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Michael Humphrey (10) shoots inside the defense of Arizona State Sun Devils forward Obinna Oleka (5) during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Arizona State won the game in overtime, 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Senior Obinna Oleka had a career night as the big man poured in a career-high 27 points to go with 13 rebounds. Entering overtime, Oleka had four fouls but was able to finish the game while trying to keep Reid Travis in check.

“I just trust my team. I believe in them,” Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley said. “… Obi Oleka, 27-13, just did what a senior needs to do. [He] played an extremely high level against two very good interior players.”

Hurley additionally praised the fitness of his starters as all five players were on the floor for at least 34 minutes. Freshmen Ramon Vila and Andre Adams provided frontcourt help in supplementary minutes.

For Stanford, Travis and junior Michael Humphrey combined to score 41 points but couldn’t stop ASU on defense as all four starting guards consistently found open space in the lane. The Sun Devils shot 56 percent for the game and notably made 22 of 25 free throw attempts.

“I thought we played well. But at the end of thr day it really doesn’t matter if we have 100 and 100 if we’re not winning games,” Humphrey said.

With the win, the Sun Devils advance to the quarterfinals to face top-seeded Oregon. ASU lost by one in Eugene earlier this season.

“I think it was our game to win in Eugene, but down the stretch, Dillon Brooks took it over,” guard Tra Holder said. “We’re going to watch him and see how we can correct our mistakes, so hopefully we’ll give ourselves a better chance.”

Next: Pac-12 Tournament Roundtable Discussion

Tip-off for the quarterfinal round will be at noon PST from T-Mobile Arena. The game can be seen on Pac-12 Networks.

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