ASU beats New Mexico behind collective contributions

On By Littum

The freshman stars were a big part of ASU basketball’s 85-82 win over New Mexico in the Acrisure Classic on Thanksgiving, but the team’s veterans sealed the deal late.

Veteran transfers Basheer Jihad (20 points) and BJ Freeman (16 points) hit back-to-back 3s to rally monumentally for the Sun Devils, who had their backs against the wall in Palm Springs.

The third in ASU’s trio of starting transfers, Alston Mason (11 points, five assists), knocked down four key free throws to put the game on ice shortly after.

After controlling most of the first half, it took a collective effort from ASU (6-1) to fight back from the Lobos’ (5-2) nine-point lead with 10 minutes remaining.

“We showed a lot of resilience, especially for a team that’s a new group of guys. They really showed a lot of grit,” coach Bobby Hurley told truTV sideline reporter Nkwa Asonye after the game. “(New Mexico is) a really hard-playing team and a physical team, so I thought we stepped up and definitely made our free throws. That was the key for us in the second half.”

Quaintance did his part to galvanize the ASU side with highlights in the form of a block (up to 25 on the year to lead Power Conference shot blockers) and two dunks, one off a dump-off from Mason and another coming in transition on a defender’s head.

It had a big enough impact as the ASU defense locked down to hold New Mexico to 1-for-11 shooting with two turnovers over a seven-minute stretch. However, the Lobos knocked down 12 free throws to stay tied with the Sun Devils and tied with 3:10 left.

How did ASU lose control after a strong start vs. New Mexico?

The Sun Devils played a dominant first 15 minutes, taking a 33-21 lead with Quaintance (four points, eight rebounds, three blocks) and Joson Sanon (19 points, three assists) the biggest catalysts.

Quaintance chipped away at two blocks in the game’s first two minutes to set a defensive tone before Sanon came in and dominated the segment, score or assist on 18 points for ASU.

Sanon’s game continues to mature early in his college career, showing quick recognition for defensive looks on the catch and reacting quickly when the shot isn’t there for him.

His playmaking was one of the bigger question marks about his game upon arrival, but he looked cool, calm and collected as the Lobos blew him around on screens and instead made the right play with ease.

ASU hadn’t turned it over yet at that point, but it had three turnovers during a 16-1 run by New Mexico to end the half with a 37-34 lead. Mustapha Amzil scored 10 of New Mexico’s 16. He finished with 28, just behind a game-high 30 from Donovan Dent.

As the Lobos extended the run to start the second half, Bobby Hurley allowed time to calm the Sun Devils.

With the win, ASU has now scored at least 80 points in six straight games.

ASU will next get St. Mary’s, which is coming off a 71-36 beatdown of USC in its opening Acrisure Classic matchup. That game will tip off at 7:30pm MST on truTV or you can listen on 98.7 FM and the Arizona Sports app.