For the second consecutive night, Head Coach Bobby Hurley’s team came through in a close game and proved to be a different team after halftime. Arizona State (7-1) trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but showed resiliency throughout the night to secure a 68-64 victory over the previously undefeated Gaels (7-1).
A key to the win was the Sun Devils limiting Saint Mary’s to just 17-of-43 (39.5%) shooting from inside the arc for the game and a 11-of-30 (36.7%) overall mark from the field in the second half. An intense and strategic effort after the break proved to be the difference, as the Maroon & Gold surged past a Saint Mary’s squad that has won 26 or more games in three straight seasons. Arizona State earns the fourth non-conference tournament championship in the Bobby Hurley era (2024 Acrisure Classic, 2022 Legends Classic, 2018 MGM Resorts Main Event, 2017 Continental Tire Invitational).
Freshman guard Joson Sanon was named the 2024 Acrisure Classic MVP following the game. He led all scorers with 19 points in the win over the Gaels, making 8-of-16 shots from the field and 3-of-4 from deep. Sanon averaged 19 points in the two-game stretch and continues to emerge as one of the best freshman in the nation. Fellow freshman Jayden Quaintance made his impact felt in many ways, putting forth an all-around effort of 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks. Veterans BJ Freeman(11 points) and Adam Miller (11 points) provided timely buckets down the stretch, allowing the Sun Devils to capture one of the program’s biggest non-conference victories.
Quotables
“I am very proud of the guys and the way they battled,” Coach Hurley mentioned after the game. “That is a fantastic and talented Saint Mary’s team, but we showed toughness down the stretch. Several guys stepped up on both ends of the floor in order for us to secure that win.”
Up Next
Arizona State returns home to take on San Diego in their final non-conference home game and only game at Desert Financial Arena in the month of December. Come out to cheer on Arizona State when they face the Torreros on Tuesday Dec. 3 at 7 PM MST. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Connor Smith
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