ASU Basketball: Sun Devils survive Oregon State for win No. 20

ASU basketball rallied to take down Oregon State, 74-71, at Gill Coliseum, securing a first-round bye in next week’s Pac-12 Tournament.

For a five-minute, six-second span in the second half of Sunday’s clash for second in the Pac-12, Arizona State was in opportune position to bow out.

In three consecutive possessions, Remy Martin, De’Quon Lake and Romello White each committed their fourth personal fouls. Coach Bobby Hurley was issued a technical in the midst of it, and Lake became disqualified after a phantom whistle that gave Oregon State’s Alfred Hollins a 3-point play opportunity.

By the end, each stab came closer to a fatal blow, dropping ASU to a 61-56 deficit with 8:28 remaining. If the Sun Devils didn’t recover, its hold of a top-two seed in the conference tournament – and more importantly, a bid to the NCAA Tournament – would likely dissipate.

But in the spirit of March, ASU persevered in one of its season’s best moments. The Sun Devils (20-9, 11-6 Pac-12) closed the game on an 18-10 run, securing a crucial 74-71 victory over the Beavers (17-11, 9-7) Sunday night.

Freshman guard Luguentz Dort led the way, scoring 16 of his 20 points in the second half. Martin and Rob Edwards each had 13, and Zylan Cheatham finished with a double-double at 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The victory guaranteed ASU the No. 2 seed in next week’s Pac-12 Tournament. From a historical standpoint, this was the Sun Devils’ 21st victory under Hurley when trailing at halftime.

ASU also improved to 8-1 this season following a loss.

After their adverse period, the Sun Devils made risky, but beneficial, choices. Hurley subbed Martin back in with 9:30 remaining. a move that triggered a 5-0 spurt to tie the contest at 61.

Oregon State’s Tres Tinkle responded with a triple, regaining a 64-61 advantage for the Beavers. The junior tallied nine of his 24 points in the final six minutes, also finishing with six rebounds and three assists.

ASU responded on the ensuing possession, as Dort isolated on a zone matchup and buried a 3-pointer. Kylor Kelley then missed a layup, and ASU took advantage with a post hook from Cheatham to build a 66-64 lead.

Over the next three minutes, both teams traded free throws before the Sun Devils held the ball with 1:13 remaining. Leading 68-67, ASU ran a set out of a timeout that freed Dort for an open 3-pointer – his fourth of the game – to lock up a two-possession advantage with 58 seconds to go.

Two free throws from Ethan Thompson cut the last-minute lead to its closest margin, 72-71, before Dort made two foul shots. Oregon State then had five seconds to release an attempt, but a half-court prayer from Thompson hit the backboard, and the Sun Devils escaped with the victory.

ASU secured back-to-back 20 win seasons for the first time since 2013 and 2014. At 11-6, the Sun Devils can do no worse for a tie for second in the Pac-12 standings, their best conference finish since 2010.

And in the moment, there’s a little more relief about the prospect of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

As focus shifts to the final week of the regular season, the Sun Devils will key in on a personal matchup – the second tilt of the Territorial Cup with Arizona.