Sun Devils advance to MGM title game

LAS VEGAS – As a freshman, Arizona State’s Kimani Lawrence made three 3pointers.

Monday night, the sophomore drained three from long range – part of a 22-point performance – including the game winner with 33 seconds left, to lead the Sun Devils to a 72-67 victory over No. 15 Mississippi State in the heavyweight bracket of the MGM Main Event.

“I’ve completely reconstructed my shot, from the base, to the release, to getting it all in one motion, I’ve worked really hard for it,” said Lawrence, who is 9 of 19 from 3-point range through the first four games of the season. “Credit to Remy (Martin) to trusting me. He hit me, I hit the shot. Stepped up, made a big-time play for the team, for the program.”

Luguentz Dort added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Martin scored 16 for the Sun Devils, who will meet Utah State in the championship game on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs, who will face Saint Mary’s in the consolation game, were led by Aric Holman with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Arizona State, which climbed as high as No. 3 after opening last season 12-0, improved to 4-0, while handing the Bulldogs their first loss of the season (3-1).

This year, the Sun Devils have scrapped the fast-paced, up-tempo style that saw them average 95.6 points after their first six games, to a blue-collar approach that includes a physicality that baffled Mississippi State. This season, thus far, the Sun Devils are averaging 86 points per game, and out-rebounding teams, 51-34.

The Sun Devils held off a second-half rally by Mississippi State, which tied the game at 65 when Nick Weatherspoon drained a long-range jumper just inside the 3-point line with one minute left in the game.