Video by Marc Steiner | Sports Reporter
ASU men's basketball got off to a very rough start, down 15 points in the first couple of minutes, but were able to turn it around for a decisive 77-55 win over UNLV.
One of the keys of the winning effort for the Sun Devils (5-2) was the outpouring of accuracy from beyond the arc. The Sun Devils shot a lights out 50 percent from deep, going 11 for 22. Freshman guard Kodi Justice, senior forward Jonathan Gilling, and senior guard Bo Barnes each drained three shots from downtown.
ASU's prowess on the boards was another significant advantage coach Herb Sendek and Co. exploited. The Sun Devils totaled 46 rebounds on the night, 11 of which were offensive. The team had 16 second chance points, a hustle statistic that sometimes goes unseen.
Four ASU players reached double digits tonight, and spread the ball around efficiently, as the team recorded 19 assists.
“We all play unselfish. This is probably one of the most unselfish teams I've played for.” said Justice.
ASU junior forward Eric Jacobsen scores a layup early in the first half during a home game against UNLV game on Dec. 3, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Arena. Jacobsen would command the post scoring 16 points to lead the Sun Devils to a 77-55 victory. (Photo by Daniel Kwon)Junior center Eric Jacobsen had another signature game, posting his second double double of the season, with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“Eric has to be one of the two smartest players I've ever coached,” Coach Herb Sendek said. “His basketball IQ is incredible. It’s particularly gratifying for me as a coach because every day we juggle guys hurt feelings, we juggle playing time, we juggle expectations, we set records for transfers. To see a guy stay the course like Eric is refreshing.”
One of the sorer points for ASU this season has been their free throw shooting, only having shot above 70 percent from the line just once prior to tonight.
The team turned that around tonight, shooting 85.7 percent, going 12 for 14 from the charity stripe. Every player that went to the line except Jacobsen shot 100 percent.
The win against UNLV marks Sendek’s 400th career win.
“Arguably we played our best game of the year.” Sendek said.
Reach the reporter at mtsteine@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @MarcTSteiner
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