ASU beats New Mexico behind collective contributions

The star freshmen were instrumental in ASU men’s basketball’s 85-82 win over New Mexico in the Acrisure Classic on Thanksgiving, but the team’s veterans sealed the deal late.

Senior transfers Basheer Jihad (20 points) and BJ Freeman (16 points) hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Sun Devils a monumental lead, as their backs were against the wall in Palm Springs.

The third in the trio of ASU starting transfers, Alston Mason (11 points, five assists), hit four key free throws and put the game on ice shortly thereafter.

After controlling much of the first half, it took a concerted effort for ASU (6-1) to rally from the Lobos’ (5-2) nine-point lead with 10 minutes left.

“We showed a lot of resilience, especially for a team made up of a new group of people. They really showed a lot of courage,” coach Bobby Hurley told truTV sideline reporter Nkwa Asonye after the game. “(New Mexico is) a really hard-playing and physical team, so I thought we stepped up and definitely made our free throws. That was the key for us in the second half.”

Quaintance did his part to pace the ASU team with highlights in the form of a block (up to 25 per year to lead the power conference’s shot blockers) and two dunks, one off a dump-off from Mason and another in transition on one, to get the defender’s head moving.

Probably the best offensive highlight of Jayden Quintance’s college career so far: pic.twitter.com/HoCSfecrtV

– Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) November 29, 2024

The impact was big enough as the ASU defense held firm, holding New Mexico to 1-for-11 shooting with two turnovers over a seven-minute span. However, the Lobos hit 12 free throws, staying level with the Sun Devils and tied with 3:10 left.

How could ASU lose control after a strong start against New Mexico?

The Sun Devils played dominantly in the first 15 minutes, taking a 33-21 lead with Quaintance (four points, eight rebounds, three blocks) and Joson Sanon (19 points, three assists) being the biggest catalysts.

Quaintance knocked down two blocks in the first two minutes of the game to set a defensive tone before Sanon came in and dominated the segment, scoring or assisting on 18 points for ASU.

Sanon’s game continues to evolve as he begins his college career, quickly picking up on his defensive looks when catching and reacting quickly when the shot isn’t there for him.

His playmaking was one of the bigger question marks over his game upon his arrival, but he looked cool, calm and collected as the Lobos fired him across screens and instead easily made the right play.

ASU hadn’t turned the ball over at that point, but had three turnovers during a 16-1 run against New Mexico to end the half with a 37-34 lead. Mustapha Amzil scored 10 of 16 points in New Mexico. He finished the game with 28, just behind Donovan Dent’s game-high 30.

As the Lobos extended the run early in the second half, Bobby Hurley called for time to calm the Sun Devils down.

With the win, ASU has now scored at least 80 points in six straight games.

Next up for ASU is St. Mary’s, which is coming off a 71-36 win over USC in its first Acrisure Classic match. The game will air at 7:30 p.m. MST on truTV, or you can hear it on 98.7 FM and the Arizona Sports app.