An unexpected performance by freshman guard Remy Martin helped No. 16 ASU stun No. 2 Kansas in Lawrence, 95-85, making it only the second time in ASU school history to begin the season 9-0.
Martin finished the game with a career-high 21 points off the bench on 8-for-11 shooting, but also had five of ASU's nine total steals. The visiting Sun Devils scored 25 points off of turnovers, mostly due to Martin's defensive pressure.
After being held to seven points against St. John's on Friday, ASU guard Tra Holder put on an exceptional performance at Allen Fieldhouse, leading all players in scoring with 29 points on 50 percent shooting.
Martin and Holder were not the only guards who highlighted the Sun Devils' win, though, senior guard Shannon Evans II added 22 points and was 5-for-9 from long distance.
ASU's win over No. 2 Kansas made it its first victory on the road over a top-five opponent since 1998.
Kansas guards Lagerald Vick and Devonte' Graham had efficient performances themselves, Vick led the Jayhawks with 25 points and Graham scored 19 points after being held to three points in their loss to Washington.
The Jayhawks dropped back-to-back games, both to Pac-12 teams, and at home. They are without their top-recruit in freshman Billy Preston, who is being investigated by the school after he was involved in a car accident.
It was anticipated that Kansas would come into its matchup against ASU clicking on all cylinders after losing to an unranked Washington this past week, and they did.
They led 15-2 in the first five minutes of the game, but ASU fought back with a 10-0 run to help cut the lead 21-17 with 11:31 to go in the first half.
Though ASU finished the half shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc, the Jayhawks had an answer to every threat they posed. After a steal from Evans II led to a corner three by Holder, Vick answered with a three of his own to extend Kansas’ lead, 40-32, with 1:34 left in the first half.
The Sun Devils wouldn’t let down, however, as Evans II shot a jumper from long distance and then redshirt freshman forward Romello White's layup made it a one-possession game – 40-37 – heading into halftime.
The Sun Devils gained their first lead of the game with 14:10 to go in the second half. A drop off pass by Evans II resulted in an and-one by White to put ASU ahead, 55-52.
ASU then used an 18-2 run over six minutes to widen its lead 68-54 by the 9:45 mark. Martin pressed on the gas pedal after scrambling for a rebound and took it coast-to-coast to get the and-one call for a layup.
Kansas fought back and came within six, 78-72, after senior guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk knocked down back-to-back threes with 5:24 to go. That was the closest the Jayhawks came within the Sun Devils.
Martin continued with his career day and answered with a layup followed by an NBA distance three from Evans II to give ASU the 83-72 lead with four minutes left in the game.
Kansas again tried to crawl back into the game, but the visiting team knocked down their free throws to keep the lead and ice the game.
Reach the reporter at fcorral1@asu.edu or follow @felipecorraljr on Twitter.
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