Kruger and Krueger isn't the Valley's newest law firm. They're the ASU men's basketball team's saving grace.
Sophomore guard Kevin Kruger ignited the Sun Devils with four three-pointers in the first half and sophomore swingman Bryson Krueger helped them avoid a disastrous second-half collapse with a pair of shots from beyond the arc.
Krueger nailed his first three-pointer five minutes into the second half, propelling ASU to an 11-point lead that seemed secure against slow-moving Wash-ington State. His second three-pointer, which came two minutes after Washing-ton State had scored 10 unanswered points, gave ASU a 45-39 edge and more than enough breathing room.
"Both of those guys have really been playing well," said ASU coach Rob Evans, whose team shot 47.8 percent from the field, getting a combined 8-for-14 effort from Kruger and Krueger. "Bryson is starting to play like we expected him to play. Kevin is a pretty smart kid, and he can give you whatever you need out there, whether it's scoring or ball handling or whatever."
Kruger finished with 14 points, his most since Jan. 15, when he posted 17 in ASU's 98-94 loss to USC. Krueger had 13 points, his most since Jan. 13 in an 86-82 setback against UCLA.
Kruger fell into a slump after ASU's road sweep of the Bay Area schools, shooting 14 for 41 from the field the last four games. He scored 35 points against the Los Angeles schools, but needed 23 shots and went 3 for 16 from three-point range.
The only silver lining in Kruger's improved numbers were a series of second-half lapses -- Kruger got picked several times around midcourt -- that enabled Washington State to make a game out of what could have been a blowout. Nevertheless, Kruger had few complaints.
"To get out of a slump, you've got to shoot it," said Kruger, who finished 4 for 6 from three-point range. "I knew I wasn't going to make it if I didn't shoot it."
Krueger has started all but two games in his first year removed from Yavapai Community College, but hasn't received nearly as much playing time as ASU's other starters.
On Thursday, Krueger logged 28 minutes, his most all season. Evans played him 17 minutes in the second half and kept him on the floor down the stretch.
"It has helped my confidence out," said Krueger, who went 4 for 7 from the field, including a 2-for-4 effort from three-point range. "Coach obviously has more confidence in me and the stuff I'm doing right now. I'm just going to continue playing defense, and hopefully I'll be out there more often."
Reach the reporter at brian.gomez@asu.edu.
