(Tempe, AZ) Sun Devil Men’s Basketball won their third straight, claiming a 72-61 victory over the San Francisco Dons Sunday Afternoon at Desert Financial Arena.
For the second consecutive game, Arizona State (5-2) never trailed in the wire-to-wire victory. The Maroon and Gold scored 22 points in transition and were led by a balanced offensive effort, as all five starters scored in double-figures for the second time this year.
San Francisco (5-3) came into the game leading the West Coast Conference in field goal percentage at 50.6%, but the Sun Devils held the Dons’ to a season low 36.4% from the field and a minuscule 16.7% from beyond the arc, both keys to the victory.
Frankie Collins posted a team-high 21 points on an efficient 7-of-11 from the field, including going 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. He added eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, delivering an all-around effort. Jamiya Neal recorded his second career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, joining his Jan. 8, 2023 performance against Washington. Alonzo Gaffney, Jose Perez and Bryant Selebague all contributed 12 points apiece in the win.
NOTABLES
San Francisco shot a season low 36.5% from the field going 23-of-63. It’s tied for the fewest shots made in a game this year. In fact, it’s the fourth lowest percentage shot by the Don’s since the start of the 2022 season.
The opposition was smothered by Arizona State’s defense, shooting 5-of-30 from three (16.7%). It was San Francisco’s lowest clip all season and third lowest since the start of the 2022 season.
The Sun Devils have now caused their opponents to commit double-digit turnovers in six of the last seven games this year. ASU has managed to also collect at least five steals in all seven of its contests.
Frankie Collins’ posted 21 points Sunday Afternoon, achieving a season high with his second-career game with 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 3 assists.
It only took the junior 14 minutes to score 10 points in the first half, going 4-of-5 from the field and an efficient 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.
Since the start of the 2022 season, Collins now has 11 games with 3+ steals, and his fifth game in the last seven this year with three or more steals.
He also managed two blocks on the day, a new career-high.
Jamiya Neal recorded his second double-double of his collegiate career with 14 points and 11, his first since January 8 against Washington where he scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the win.
Neal finished with nine points in the first half against the Dons’, a season-high for most points in the first half.
Bryant Selebangue scored a season high 12 points on the day, his second contest this season reaching double figures on an efficient 5-of-7 from the field. He also grabbed four rebounds.
The Tulsa transfer has shot over 50% in all seven games this season and has shot over 70% in three of the last four games.
Jose Perez finished with 12 points this afternoon and his fourth straight game achieving 10+ points and 5+ rebounds.
Alonzo Gaffney netted 12 points in the win. His third straight game reaching double-digits and his second game this year sinking multiple three’s in a game.
Today’s victory marks the second time this season that the Sun Devils have had five players in double-figures, the first coming in a 71-69 victory over UMass Lowell.
FIRST HALF:
Jose Perez found an open Jimaya Neal on the right-wing to then knock down an open three at 19:45, Perez then drained a mid-range jumper, on the ensuing possession, Neal snagged a rebound and found an open Frankie Collins to give ASU an 8-0 lead at the 17:57 mark in the first quarter, forcing an early Don timeout.
San Francisco got their first basket at the 14:27 mark of the half, prompting a 12-4 lead at the first media timeout. Neal converted on back-to-back baskets after forcing the Don’s sixth turnover of the game with 12 minutes in the opening period holding a 16-6 lead.
The Dons cut the lead to six after converting their second three of the half, but back-to-back slams by Neal and Selebangue quickly pushed the lead back to ten with 9:10 remaining in the half.
Both sides traded baskets for the next three minutes of play that featured Collins’ swiftly driving to the basket for a layup and Gaffney knocking down a corner three. ASU held a 28-18 lead at the 6:20 mark.
After a stifling defensive effort from both sides, Collin’s hit a jumper from the left wing to notch his fourth basket of the day with 1:14 left in the half, giving him 10 points on the day. ASU would lead 36-28 going into the break
SECOND HALF:
San Francisco managed to cut the lead to four to start the half, but the Sun Devils made the next three baskets, two coming from Selebangue to push the lead to 42-32 with 17:15 in regulation.
Selebangue knocked down two free throws after the Dons’ converted on a layup to lead 44-34, from there Neal, and Collins’ knocked down jumpers along with Gaffney draining a three from the left wing to lead 51-34 forcing a San Francisco timeout with 12:34 left in the game.
Following the timeout San Francisco manufactured an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to eight, 53-45 at the nine minute mark in regulation. Selebangue put an end to the stretch with a layup making it 55-45 with 7:30 left.
Collins knocked back-to-back free throws to keep to lead at 10 for ASU at the 7:11 mark, and tacked on two more points giving the Sun Devils a 60-47 advantage. After Neal snagged a rebound he drove coast-to-coast whereas he converted a three-point play extending the lead to 16, 63-47.
The Sun Devil lead would never get under double-digits again after back-to-back buckets by Gaffney sealed the victory for ASU putting them ahead 71-59 inside the final two minutes.
UP NEXT:
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball will finish their three-game home stand at Desert Financial Arena and face SMU. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. MST and can be seen on Fox Sports 1 and can be heard on the radio waves on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM with Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on the call. Tickets for Sun Devil Men’s Basketball 2023-24 non-conference games are on sale now. Visit the following link for more information. Conference games are available to purchase. Ticket packages start at just $90 and the home schedule features match-ups against top ranked USC, UCLA and Arizona. Season Tickets and Mini Plans are now available.
Press Release courtesy Sun Devil Athletics – Steve Rodriguez
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