Tempe, AZ (Sports Network) - Evan Gordon poured in 23 points to lead the
Arizona State Sun Devils as they held off the California Golden Bears for a
66-62 decision in a Pac-12 Conference bout at Wells Fargo Arena.
Ruslan Pateev gave Arizona State (18-5, 7-3 Pac-12) a big lift off the bench
with 12 points and eight rebounds while Jahii Carson tallied 12 points and
four steals to help the Sun Devils pick up their fourth win in five outings.
Allen Crabbe and Tyrone Wallace tallied 16 points apiece for California (13-9,
5-5), which had won its previous two games. Justin Cobbs added 13 points, but
he and Wallace were each responsible for four of the Golden Bears' 18
turnovers.
The Sun Devils were in control early on as they used a 12-0 run to jump out to
a 25-9 lead at the 8:19 mark of the first half. Although both teams shot an
even 50 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, Arizona State
attempted eight more field goals due to its 16-13 edge in rebounds and
California's 10 first half turnovers.
After the break, the Golden Bears knocked down 44.8 percent of their attempts
from the field and outscored the hosts, 20-5, in points off of turnovers to
chip away at the deficit. Cal concluded a 17-4 run with a 3-pointer by Cobbs
to make it a two-point affair at 64-62 with 24 seconds left in regulation. The
Golden Bears tried to extend the game by fouling Gordon, who made his first
attempt before leaving the door open for California to tie it up by missing
the back end of his trip to the charity stripe. The visitors were unable to
take advantage as Crabbe turned it over on the next play and Johnathan Gilling
put in another free throw to put it out of reach.
Arizona State held a 32-24 advantage in points in the paint to overcome
California's 23-18 edge in points off of turnovers.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network