A sign behind one of the baskets at Coors Events Center in Boulder, Colo. reads, “Weakness, lack of breath, lightheaded, rapid pulse, dizziness, pregnancy.”
The ASU men’s basketball team struggled in 5,345 feet of Rocky Mountain altitude Thursday against Colorado. Coupled with the absence of junior wing Trent Lockett, the Sun Devils (6-12, 2–4 Pac-12) lost 69–54.
It wasn’t even close.
Lockett was sidelined due to a right ankle sprain. As the teams’ leader in scoring, his absence in the Sun Devils’ offense was felt.The Sun Devils made just one field goal in the first 11 minutes of the game. They shot 41.7 percent from the floor.
In Lockett’s absence, Colvin had a game-high 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting in 31 minutes of play. He was one of three starters to play 30 or more minutes in the contest.
Freshman Jonathan Gilling had 12 points in 32 minutes, while sophomore wing Chanse Creekmur was scoreless in 34 minutes on 0-for-5 shooting.
With a short bench, fatigue played a greater factor with the higher altitude. ASU was a step behind on defense, giving up easy buckets throughout the game.
Colorado is now 4–0 at home in conference play. The Buffaloes (12–6, 4–2 Pac-12) shot 48.9 percent in the game. They were led by sophomore forward Andre Roberson’s double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Arguably, he also had the best play of the night. Roberson drove into the lane and dunked on 7 foot 2 inch sophomore forward Jordan Bachynski in the second half.
Senior forward Ausin Dufault had 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting and five rebounds, and freshman guard Askia Booker had 11 points in 18 minutes off the bench.
The Sun Devils will look to get back in the win column Saturday as they travel to Utah. Lockett is not expected to play in the game.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game will not be televised, but can be heard locally on KTAR 620 AM.
Reach the reporter at mtesfats@asu.edu
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