TEMPE — ASU gave No. 1 Arizona one of its only single-digit games of Big 12 play so far in the rivals’ first meeting this season, and the first half of Saturday’s encore was just as tight.
The Sun Devils and Wildcats were knotted up at 38 at the break following 20 minutes where all but 18 seconds were within five points or less.
Arizona led by seven for those 18 seconds, and ASU point guard Moe Odum hit 3s on two of the next three Sun Devil possessions to make sure things stayed close.
Odum led all scorers in the first half with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Arizona center Motiejus Krivas led the Wildcats with 11 first-half points.
Massamba Diop was up for the Krivas challenge and scored the game’s first points on a post-up jumper. He had six points and two blocks in the first half, also diving for a loose ball that became a pile up.
While Diop retained possession, Arizona wing Ivan Kharchenkov left the pile egging on the Arizona fans in attendance, which had Tempe’s Desert Financial Arena feeling more like a neutral court.
Later in the half, Diop drew blood from Arizona forward Koa Peat, though it was deemed incidental contact as it appeared to occur when bumping into Diop’s shoulder.
Peat, who was held to six points on eight shots in the first half, had to exit and was stitched up.
Arizona (21-0) entered the matchup as one of the nation’s only two remaining unbeaten teams. 21-0 Miami (OH) hosts 7-13 Northern Illinois at 1:30 p.m. MST on Saturday.
from Arizona Sports https://ift.tt/fwRcKOk
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