Shorthanded ASU comes up short against USC
The Arizona State basketball team figured to have a formidable task, squaring off against the tallest team in college basketball and missing four key players. It was just that as visiting USC turned in a 73-64 win over the Sun Devils in Pac-12 play Saturday night at Desert Financial Arena.
It marked the first road sweep of the Arizona schools for the Trojans since 1985.
The Trojans (8-2, 3-1) finished with a 50-30 lead in rebounding and a 32-16 advantage on points scored in the paint.
For the second straight game ASU (4-5, 1-2) played without four players including senior point guard Remy Martin, junior forward Taeshon Cherry (COVID contact tracing protocol), sophomore guard Jaelen House (COVID contact tracing protocol) and sophomore forward Jalen Graham (mononucleosis).
The Sun Devils have not had a game this season with a full roster, and eight players have missed multiple games.
The Sun Devils battled despite a depleted personnel. They trailed by 18 in the first half but ended it with a 14-0 run to get in striking distance at 36-32.
Senior guard Holland Woods, starting in place of Martin, tallied 18 points, four assists and two steals. The Apollo High School graduate had16 of those in the first half which helped the Sun Devils rally from the early deficit.
Alonzo Verge finished with 17 while Marcus Bagley had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Freshman Evan Mobley, a 7-footer projected to be a lottery pick in the next NBA draft, was the top player for the Trojans, finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots.
Tajh Eaddy added 16 points and nine rebounds while Isaiah Mobley added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Turning point
The Sun Devils were down by one at 62-61 with 2:14 left but Drew Peterson nailed a three-pointer for a 65-61 USC lead with 1:46 to go.
At the ASU end a shot by Verge was partially blocked and USC came up with the rebound with 1:27 left. A pair for free throws by Mobley made it a six point game and the Trojans hung on from there.
ASU made just one of its last nine attempts from the field.