ASU Basketball: Sun Devils fight back, fall to USC 75-65

The Arizona State Sun Devils did what they always do: they fought until the final whistle. However, it was not enough Thursday night as ASU fell to the USC Trojans 75-65 to drop to 10-5 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.

The Sun Devils scored the game's first two points of the contest, but would not lead again as USC scored the game's next 11 and never looked back. The Sun Devils struggled shooting (from everywhere) most of the night as they were at one point 1-11 from 3-point territory and 4-11 from the free throw line.

Arizona State missed their first five free throws and shot 33 percent from the field in the first half, trailing the Trojans 35-25 after 30 minutes.

The Sun Devils trailed by as many as 15 in the second half before storming back thanks to some key 3-pointers and the play of Tra Holder. The sophomore guard led ASU with 21 points and helped ASU storm back towards the end of the second half. ASU cut the lead to 65-63 with less than a minute to play.

However, the Sun Devils missed their final four shots and USC made three transition baskets to build a 71-63 lead with 29 seconds left.

Julian Jacobs, who was questionable for Thursday's game because of an ankle injury, led USC with 15 points while also grabbing four rebounds and dishing five assists. Six Trojans contributed at least seven points as USC improved to 13-3 and 2-1 in conference play.

The Sun Devils return to the court and close out their Los Angeles road trip on Saturday against the UCLA Bruins.