Sun Devils Edge Out Cardinal in a Nail-Biter at Maples Pavilion
In a closely contested matchup, the Arizona State Sun Devils emerged victorious over the Stanford Cardinal with a final score of 76-73. The Sun Devils now hold an impressive record, while the Cardinal's record takes a hit after this encounter.
The game at Maples Pavilion was marked by intense competition and high energy from both teams. The Arizona State Sun Devils started off trailing in the first half but made an extraordinary comeback in the second half to secure their win. Their scoring was balanced across both halves with 28 points initially and then exploding for 48 points to close out the game.
Arizona State's offense was firing on all cylinders, boasting a field goal percentage of 46 and converting on 61 percent of their two-point attempts. They were also able to sink 10 three-pointers at a rate of 31 percent from beyond the arc. Free throws were more challenging for them, as they made only eight out of fourteen attempts, translating to a free throw percentage of just 57.
Defensively, Arizona State put up solid numbers with four blocks and five steals during the game. They managed to pull down an impressive total of 32 rebounds; however, they were outrebounded by Stanford who grabbed a total of 41 rebounds throughout the contest.
The Sun Devils' teamwork shone through with them dishing out fifteen assists which contributed significantly to their offensive flow. Despite committing nine turnovers themselves, they capitalized on Stanford's mistakes by scoring six points off turnovers.
Key players for Arizona State demonstrated strong performances that helped tip the scales in their favor. Their efforts inside painted areas resulted in them matching Stanford point-for-point with each team scoring thirty-four points in paint.
Looking ahead after this hard-fought victory, fans can catch Arizona State Sun Devils next facing off against California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion located in Berkeley on December 31st at around six o'clock local time (PST). This upcoming conference game will be broadcasted live on Pac-12 Network for fans eager to follow along as ASU continues its season journey.