Arizona State Sun Devils' Rally Falls Short Against Ranked BYU Cougars

In a closely contested matchup, the Arizona State Sun Devils faced off against the 25th-ranked BYU Cougars, culminating in an 81-91 defeat for the Sun Devils. This game brought the Sun Devils' season record to an even stance, while the Cougars improved their standing with another win. Despite a spirited second-half performance where they outscored their first-half points tally, the Sun Devils couldn't overcome the deficit incurred in the first half.

Key Performances and Game Highlights

The game was marked by several standout performances from both teams. For Arizona State, Basheer Jihad led with 19 points, complemented by his contribution of 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Trevor Best and Joson Sanon each added 18 points to the team's total, showcasing their scoring abilities throughout the game. Shawn Phillips made his presence felt under both baskets with 7 points and a team-high of 9 rebounds along with blocking two shots.

On the other side of the court, BYU showcased why they are ranked among college basketball's elite this season. Their offense was firing on all cylinders with a remarkable field goal percentage of 55 percent compared to Arizona State's respectable but lower rate of 47 percent. The Cougars also capitalized on turnovers more effectively than their opponents, scoring 12 points off turnovers.

Looking Ahead

Despite falling short against BYU Cougars, there were positive takeaways for Arizona State Sun Devils from this encounter. The team showed resilience by narrowing down what was once a significant lead for BYU in the second half and will look to carry this momentum forward.

The next challenge for Arizona State will be an away game against Utah Utes at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on March 1st at 7:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch all live action broadcasted over ESPN+. This upcoming match presents another opportunity for Arizona State to showcase their skills and determination as they continue through this season.

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