The Arizona State started the 2025-26 season on an up note, beating Southern Utah 81-64 at night on Tuesday in Tempe. The victory was also marked by the powerful entry of a new player Anthony Johnson who displayed competence and calm to dictate the pace at Sun Devils.
It was headed by Johnson, a transfer to the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), who scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, added four rebounds and three assists to Arizona State. His presence brought in an early spark, which enabled the Sun Devils to develop rhythm in their offense.
Scaling the Scorecard on both sides
Arizona State’s depth proved to be a major advantage, with seven players scoring at least seven points and four finishing in double figures. The bench itself provided 35 overall points proving a strong second unit.
Massamba Diop scored 14 points, making 6-of-8 field shots. Mukeba and Bryce Ford contributed 11 points each with Mukeba blocking four shots on defense. Ford offered perimeter shooting, knocking three of five shots from the arc.
In the case of Southern Utah, the team was headed by Elijah Duval, who scored 17 points on efficient 8-of-14 shooting. Isaiah Cottrell contributed 11 and seven rebounds. The Thunderbirds could not, however, maintain the pace on the offensive, especially at long range, in which they scored but 4 out of 25 times.
Arizona State started the game fast, and at the midpoint of the first half, they were ahead by 20 goals to 10. Though Southern Utah briefly reduced the gap to six before halftime, Sun Devils retaliated with continuous scoring and increased defensive pressure, and eventually dominated the rest of the game.
Arizona State ended the night with a shooting percentage of 49.2 on the field and 39.1 on three-pointers. A good indicator of a program that had to turn around its fortunes after a terrible 13-20 finish last year.