Different game. Different opponent. Same story.
For the second time in as many games, the ASU men�s basketball team underachieved, but found a way to win, as it knocked off the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 89-81 in front of an announced crowd of 7,779 at Wells Fargo Arena.
Thankfully, in times of sluggish play, the Sun Devils (6-1) have the broad shoulders of preseason All-American Ike Diogu to carry them. Diogu threw aside anyone who tried to guard him, as he finished with a game-high 34 points, 14 of which came from the free-throw line.
�When we are playing an undersized team like we did tonight, Ike is going to get double-teamed a lot,� head coach Rob Evans said. �He got to the free-throw line a lot tonight, but not a lot to his standards.�
The 34-point effort marked the eighth time in his career Diogu has scored 30-plus points in a game.
The root of the Sun Devils� problems started in the first half, as they failed to put away the Knights (2-5). ASU led by as many as 15 with 7:56 remaining in the first half, but the Knights responded by closing out the half on a 23-12 run.
The Knights� comeback can be blamed in part on ASU�s passive play on the offensive end. Only Diogu and sophomore forward Serge Angounou consistently put the ball up in the first half, as they combined for more than half (17) of the team�s attempted shots (32).
Turnovers and lackadaisical offensive play haunted the Sun Devils throughout the game, as multiple players stood around on nearly every offensive possession. Defensively, it wasn�t much better for ASU, as the team failed to move its feet, allowing Fairleigh Dickinson to drive to the basket at will.
Unfortunately for the Knights, getting to the basket and getting fouled didn�t turn into points on the scoreboard. Fairleigh Dickinson shot a dismal 54.2 percent from the line (13-24), which ultimately prevented it from getting close enough to pull off the upset.
�We aren�t playing our best defense, and we weren�t able to practice defense on Sunday, because I didn�t want to wear out the guys� legs for tonight�s game,� Evans said. �Once we re-establish our defense, we will play better.�
While there were struggles, ASU did have a silver lining in its dreary effort. Sophomore forward Bryson Krueger looked to have found his shot, finishing the game with 14 points, connecting on an impressive 5-of-6 from the field.
�Bryson came in and played a pretty good ball game today,� Evans said. �I had a long conversation with him about letting go, just getting out and playing and not worrying so much about things, and I think he gave us a good lift.�
If Krueger continues to pour out the same effort, Evans should look to give all of his players a talk.
�He [Evans] told me he wanted me to have a break-out game,� Krueger said. �I took that personal, and I wanted to come out and play better than I had been playing.�
Whether it was the multitude of games, seven in 16 days, or the upcoming fall finals, the Sun Devils have not been themselves for the past two games. Fortunately, ASU has a break and won�t play again until Sunday. A break Evans said his team will enjoy as much as he will.
Reach the reporter at matt.reinick@asu.edu.
