ASU Basketball: Sun Devils avoid upset with win over San Francisco

Arizona State (5-2) avoided a feverous upset attempt by San Francisco University (7-2) Tuesday, as they took down the Dons 71-67 in their final road game of non-conference play.

The Sun Devils relied once again on their most consistent contributors, as both junior guard Remy Martin and junior forward Romello White led the team with 14 points apiece.

ASU’s upset avoidance can be primarily attributed to a strong defensive effort, as they limited the Dons to their lowest scoring output of the young season. ASU was especially dominant in the game’s final minutes, holding San Francisco without a field goal for the game’s final 3:30.

Offensively, ASU’s two leading scorers got their points in their own unique fashion, as White’s 14 points came slightly more efficiently, with the forward connecting on 6-7 shots compared to Martin’s 4-15 performance.

White was a physically imposing presence throughout Tuesday’s contest as well, finishing with a game-high 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.

The junior was forced out of action for parts of the second quarter as he dealt with ankle, and chin injuries, the last eventually requiring stitches.

Martin once again acted as the team’s driving offensive force, racking up a game-best five assists to go along with six rebounds and two steals.

The third-year leader continues to uplift a struggling guard group, as his fellow backcourt mates Rob Edwards, Jaelen House and Alonzo Verge Jr. combined to go 3-21 for eight points.

Another bright spot from the Sun Devils victory was the reemergence of junior forward Kimani Lawrence, who finished with seven points on 3-5 shooting.

Lawrence responded after two consecutive scoreless outings against Princeton University and the University of Virginia with his highest point total since the season opener.

ASU now heads home as they complete the final leg of their almost two week road trip. The rest of their non-conference action will take place at home, as the Sun Devils host a number of intriguing opponents including the University of Georgia Bulldogs and Saint Mary’s University Gaels.

The team’s next matchup comes this Saturday, December 7, when they host the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.