Basheer Jihad helps Sun Devils beat New Mexico

On By Littum

BJ Freeman and Basheer Jihad each hit late 3-pointers and Alston Mason drained two free throws in the final seconds to help Arizona State to an 85-82 victory over New Mexico on Thursday night at the Acrisure Classic at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. .

ASU (5-2) led by as many as 13 points in the first half, that lead coming early at 31-18, but the Lobos ended the half on a 16-1 run to take a 37-34 lead into the locker room.

The Lobos (5-2) led by nine in the second half at 60-51 at the 10-minute mark, but ASU crept closer and it was close down the stretch with the game totaling 10 ties and seven lead changes.

Jihad’s 3-pointer came with 2:07 left, putting ASU up 77-75. The Lobos turned the ball over and Freeman took advantage with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to extend the lead to 80-75 with 1:25 left.

Mason later went to the line with ASU up 83-82 with three seconds left. He hit both, and New Mexico’s Mustapha Amzil missed a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer, leaving ASU with the narrow victory.

Jihad finished with 20 points and six rebounds, while Joson Sanon had 19 points. Freeman was also in double figures with 16. Jayden Quaintance had eight rebounds and three blocks but was just 2-for-8 from the field for four points. He leads the nation in blocked shots.

Shawn Phillips returned to the lineup after missing the last game with a calf strain. He had five points and four rebounds in 14 minutes. Guard Austin Nuñez missed a third straight game with a foot injury.

Donovan Dent of New Mexico led all scorers with 30, while Amzil had a career-high 28 along with eight rebounds.

The game featured 64 free throw attempts, 32 by each team with 47 fouls.

In the championship game at At 7:30 p.m. Friday, ASU was scheduled to face Saint Mary’s (7-0), a 71-36 winner over USC (5-2) in the previous game. New Mexico was scheduled to face USC in the consolation game at 10 p.m