Senior forward Shaquielle McKissic drives to the basket against Arizona, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 81-78. (Ben Moffat/The State Press)It has been said that rivalry games bring out the best in teams, no matter the circumstances surrounding each game. The ASU men's basketball team added another positive to that statement.
The Sun Devils (12-11, 4-6 Pac-12) knocked off No. 6 Arizona 81-78 Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. ASU has won three of the last four meetings in Tempe.
The Wildcats (20-3, 8-2 Pac-12) won the first meeting between these teams this season 73-49 in Tucson in early January, but that game proved to have no bearing on this matchup.
Senior guard Bo Barnes said the team is a far different team than when it traveled to Tucson on Jan. 4.
"I think the ball is moving more on offense," Barnes said. "We did a good job of following Coach (Barret) Peery's scout and keeping the paint close and closing out on shooters."
The two teams traded baskets for the first quarter of the game before the Wildcats grabbed a 25-18 lead with around nine minutes remaining in the first half.
After Arizona took that lead, ASU went on a 23-9 run to close out the first half with a seven-point lead and swinging momentum its way.
Junior guard Gerry Blakes celebrates with fans on the court after defeating Arizona 81-78, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe. (Shiva Balasubramanian/The State Press)In the second half, the Sun Devils had to scrap, but held a lead for the entirety of the period.
Arguably the biggest play of the game for ASU came with under a minute left when Barnes lofted up a 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock to put his team ahead by seven with 54 seconds left.
"It felt pretty good," Barnes said. "I saw the shot clock running down so I just tried to get it up there."
Sendek said how big Barnes was in the game and said the shot looked good, but until it went in, you can never be sure.
"From our view it looked like it was on target, but until it went through the net, obviously, we held our breath," Sendek said. "It was a huge shot."
Barnes finished with 18 points in the game with 13 of those coming in the second half. Sendek was impressed with Barnes's effort at the end of the game.
"Bo had such an iron-clad will today," Sendek said. "His determination was really incredible."
An aspect of ASU's games this season has been the team's free throw shooting. Against Arizona, however, the Sun Devils made 22 of their 28 attempts from the charity stripe, allowing them to put the game on ice late.
"When the ball goes in the basket things have a greater chance of being in your favor than when they don't," Sendek said. "The guys did a great job at the free throw line."
One edge that Sendek and his players noticed was the 942 Crew and the noise and energy it brought to the game.
"I'd like to start by thanking our fans, especially our students were incredible," Sendek said. "Their energy in the building certainly contributed to our guys's ability to play as hard and determined as they did, so thank you to the Sun Devil nation."
Sophomore forward Savon Goodman, who finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, said the environment at the arena was the craziest that he has ever experienced.
"When we went down (to Tucson) for the first time, I had never played in that type of environment before, but I think being here was better," Goodman said. "Every time we play at home, it's going to be a crazy atmosphere. I've never seen our gym lit up like this. It was a lifetime experience and I'm never going to forget about this."
Goodman has reiterated all year that the team is more talented than what their record showed and said that this game proves that right.
"I think this win definitely validates our season," Goodman said. "All season we've been fighting through adversity. I think this game just solidifies where we are in our season."
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or on Twitter @Tonis_The_Tiger.
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