Sun Devils Surge Past Cougars in a Fierce Showdown at Desert Financial Arena
The Arizona State Sun Devils emerged victorious against the Washington State Cougars with a final score of 73-61. The Sun Devils, unranked this season, showcased their determination against the 21st ranked Cougars. The home team's record now stands at an impressive 17-5, while the visitors fell to a respectable 15-7.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 9,586 at Desert Financial Arena, the Sun Devils displayed remarkable tenacity and skill. Their offense was firing on all cylinders as they shot an impressive 49 percent from the field across both halves. The team's three-point shooting was particularly noteworthy; they converted six out of fourteen attempts, translating to a solid 43 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Arizona State held their ground with six steals and three blocks. They matched Washington State in total rebounds with each team pulling down 35 boards. However, it was in offensive rebounds where the Sun Devils had an edge with eleven compared to thirteen by their opponents.
The second half saw both teams ramp up their efforts but it was Arizona State that maintained control throughout. They scored consistently well with thirty-seven points after halftime and capitalized on turnovers by scoring fourteen points off them – equaling what Washington State managed despite having one more turnover than ASU's ten.
Key players for Arizona State stepped up when needed; their ability to assist on eleven occasions while keeping turnovers low played a significant role in maintaining momentum throughout the game. Their assists-to-turnover ratio stood at a commendable 1.1.
On Washington State's side, despite falling short in scoring efficiency overall – managing only thirty-nine percent from field goals – they excelled at free throws making ten out of twelve shots which is eighty-three percent accuracy. Points in paint were also dominated by Washington State who scored forty-two compared to thirty-six by Arizona State.
As conference play continues to heat up every game counts and this victory will surely boost morale within the Sun Devil ranks as they continue their pursuit towards post-season glory.
Looking ahead for fans of Arizona State basketball: mark your calendars for February twenty-eighth when your Sun Devils will face off against rivals -the Arizona Wildcats- right here at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe starting at eight o'clock PM Mountain Time Zone (MT). This encounter promises to be another captivating chapter in this storied rivalry and can be watched live on Pac-12 Network for those eager not to miss any action.