ASU Basketball: Sun Devils escape with 85-77 victory in San Diego

San Diego, Calif. — The Arizona State Sun Devils (0-0, 2-0 Preseason) outlasted the San Diego Toreros (0-0, 0-1 Preseason) by a final score of 85-77 during a preseason matchup Wednesday night at the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego, California.

ASU’s backcourt dominated the offensive attack for the Sun Devils during the first half.

Senior guard Tra Holder played nearly all 20 of the first segment, scoring 15 points on 44 percent shooting while adding two from the free throw line and two assists.

Freshman guard Remy Martin continued to flash the potential he revealed during ASU’s 98-90 victory over Northern State last week with a 13 point performance during the first half to complement Holder. Martin was efficient, shooting 66 percent from the floor and nailing both three-point attempts he took.

6 foot 9 redshirt freshman Vitaliy Shibel also boosted the Sun Devil’s first half performance by hitting three of three shots on his way to score eight points and grab three boards during the first half.

Still though, the Sun Devils struggled to pull away due to a combined 24 points — 15 of which came from beyond the ark — from USD forward Cameron Neubauer and guard Olin Carter III.

The Devils’ victory over NSU last week was hardly convincing, and the poor play from ASU seemed to continue early on in Southern California. Arizona State led 48-42 at the half.

Arizona State began to balance its attack out during the second segment, as freshman forward Romello White and senior guard Kodi Justice scored a combined 26 points down the stretch.

Junior Torero forward Isiah Pineiro was a force Wednesday night, shooting 60 percent from the floor and tallying 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Martin and Justice made a couple clutch free throws within 30 seconds while USD missed crucial ones to cement the ASU victory.

Through two preseason matchups against non-power five opponents — including one from division two — Arizona State has managed just an eight point margin of victory.

The Devils’ have just one last matchup against Arizona Christian Friday before the season officially begins against Idaho State on November 10.