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ASU men's basketball wins big in season opener, drops Chicago State 86-50

Junior guard Gerry Blakes goes up for a layup in a game against Chicago State, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat)
Junior guard Gerry Blakes goes up for a layup in a game against Chicago State, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat)

Video by Marc Steiner | Sports Reporter

Typically, early season games for major men's basketball programs are tune-up games for the true grit of the season that starts in December. Friday's season opener for the ASU men's basketball team was not different.

The Sun Devils (1-0) defeated Chicago State 86-50 at Wells Fargo Arena. Senior forward Shaquielle McKissic led the way for the Sun Devils, finishing with 20 points. ASU never trailed in the game and did not lead by fewer than 10 points at any point of the second half.

Coach Herb Sendek said after the game that he was happy with his offense's play moving the ball and being unselfish.

"I think offensively our guys did a really good job of trying to play the right way," Sendek said. "They really moved the ball. They played unselfishly. And as a result they shot a high percentage and had a good number of assists, 17 assists on 30 field goals."

ASU shot 61.2 percent from the field in the game and turned the ball over 11 times in the game, with four coming in the second half, and allowed just 14 points off of the turnovers.

Junior forward Eric Jacobsen (left) and junior guard Gerry Blakes attempt to block a Chicago State shot, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat) Junior forward Eric Jacobsen (left) and junior guard Gerry Blakes attempt to block a Chicago State shot, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat)

McKissic said he doesn't feel like he has to carry the offense, despite his 20 points. He said that he has to set an example for the newer players to play the right way and allow the offense to move.

Junior guard Gerry Blakes goes up for a layup in a game against Chicago State, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat) Junior guard Gerry Blakes goes up for a layup in a game against Chicago State, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat)

"I don't look at it that way," McKissic said. "The seniors, me, (forward) Bo (Barnes) and (forward) Jon (Gilling) and guys like (junior forward Eric Jacobsen) are the most unselfish guys I played with over a two-year span and it's good for the younger guys, when they look up to us, to see that we play like that, because then they play like that. So once everybody touches the ball, then it kind of makes it more fun."

The defense was good throughout the game, holding Chicago State scoreless for six minute stretches in both halves. ASU forced 17 turnovers in the game and was able to score 16 points off of them.

"I thought our defensive effort was excellent, especially in the second half," Sendek said. "I think over the course of the last two weeks we've made some good progress on that end of the floor."

Junior guard Gerry Blakes impressed in his debut as well, nearing a double-double with 11 points and a team-leading seven rebounds. Sendek was complimentary of Blakes' first appearance.

"I thought Gerry played a good game for the first time in a Sun Devil uniform," Sendek said. "I thought he gave us really good minutes. He can score. I think he can end up becoming an outstanding defensive player for us."

"I would assess my play as decent for my first game," Blakes said. "I can contribute to the team a lot more. All in all, we played a great game as a team and I'm happy with the win."

Junior guard Roosevelt Scott goes up for a layup in a game against Chicago State, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat) Junior guard Roosevelt Scott goes up for a dunkĀ against Chicago State, Friday. Nov. 14, 2014 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Cougars 81-67. (Photo by Ben Moffat)

In a game full of positives, there was one glaring negative for ASU: free throw shooting. The Sun Devils shot just 55.9 percent from the charity stripe, which Sendek hopes will not continue.

"It is the only game we have so far, so I don't know if it'll continue or not, but let's hope not," Sendek said. "We've got to get that better. We left a lot of points at the foul line, we missed 15 free throws. So, y'know, we have to get back in the gym and get that rectified."

Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Tonis_The_Tiger

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