Jose Perez enthusiastically hypes up Frankie Collins after one of USC Trojans’ season-high 22 turnovers. (Photo by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
TEMPE – In a spectacular turnout Saturday, Desert Financial Arena witnessed a regular season-high crowd of 13,746 fans and the second-largest student crowd (4,325) in program history.
The nearly packed arena gathered for the noon tipoff to catch a glimpse of USC freshman Bronny James, the son of NBA star Lebron James, as he made his third collegiate start during the Arizona State men’s basketball program’s hot start to conference play.
Young fans add to the electric atmosphere at Desert Financial Arena as they strive to make it onto the flex cam. (Photo by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
Arizona State men’s basketball coach Bobby Hurley watches USC players warm up ahead of Saturday’s win at Desert Financial Arena. (Photo by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
“Shoutout to our crowd and our students today,” ASU coach Bobby Hurley said. “I’m really excited for the opportunity our players had to play in that environment.”
USC’s Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, warms up with stretching and rolling before his third consecutive collegiate start. (Photo by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
The Sun Devils did not disappoint the Sun Devil faithful from start to finish, as Hurley’s team swarmed the Trojans with a showcase of unwavering defense that held James to seven points on 3-for-6 shooting. By the final buzzer, ASU forced 22 turnovers that translated to 24 points and 27 fast-break points. USC also struggled with 4-for-15 shooting from 3-point range.
USC’s Bronny James, right, sizes up ASU forward Alonzo Gaffney before attempting to dribble past.
USC’s Bronny James sprints down the court to outpace the ASU press, which helped force 22 turnovers in Saturday’s win. (Photos by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
Left: USC’s Bronny James, right, sizes up ASU forward Alonzo Gaffney before attempting to dribble past. Right: USC’s Bronny James sprints down the court to outpace the ASU press, which helped force 22 turnovers in Saturday’s win. (Photos by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
“We don’t really want to run a half-court offense if we don’t have to,” ASU guard Jamiya Neal said during the postgame press conference. “We rather get out and show our athleticism, talent and skill. Defense is offense to us, that is what we preach.
“There is no better way to score than getting out in transition, getting steals and getting out quick.”
Sun Devils guard Frankie Collins took charge with six steals to provide the team and the packed crowd with a burst of energy.
Left: ASU’s Frankie Collins throws down a powerful dunk after securing one of his six steals. Center: ASU’s Frankie Collins flexes at the bench after finishing a contested fast-break layup. Right: ASU’s Frankie Collins encourages the crowd of over 13,000 fans to amplify the noise. (Photos by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
The tenacious defense combined with the efforts of four double-digit scorers, especially Jose Prez’s impressive 20-point performance, resulted in a total of 82 points – tied for the second-highest this season behind an 84-point performance in a road loss to San Diego in December.
“If it’s one-on-one, I don’t think there’s anybody that can stay (with me) one-on-one,” Perez said.
Left: ASU’s Jose Perez elevates for a midrange shot, securing a game-high 20 points. Center: ASU’s Adam Miller takes a 3-point shot over Kobe Johnson. Miller struggled from deep, shooting 1-8. Right: Jamiya Neal sinks a corner three, adding three points to his total of 17 for the game. (Photos by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
Despite the high-spirited crowd energy and offensive struggles, USC managed to keep the game close. The Trojans trailed only 67-60 as the final eight minutes approached behind a strong defensive presence that included five blocks. On offense, they scored 34 points in the paint.
Left: Joshua Morgan records one of his two blocks by swatting away Jose Perez’s floater. Center: Adam Miller and Alonzo Gaffney contest Kobe Johnson’s floater on a night he matched his season high with 5 turnovers. Right: Bobby Hurley engages in a heated dispute with an official following a foul call. (Photos by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
The Sun Devils responded with a decisive 15-7 run late in the second half that firmly closed the door on the Trojans. ASU maintained a double-digit lead for the final six and a half minutes to secure a triumphant 82-67 victory.
Bryant Selebangue earns the honor of ringing the victory bell following a season-high 13-rebound performance. (Photo by Bennett Silvyn/Cronkite News)
Locked in a tie for first place in the Pac-12 alongside Arizona (14-4 overall, 5-2 in Pac-12) and Oregon (13-5, 5-2), ASU (11-7, 5-2) heads to Eugene for a crucial face-off Thursday against the Ducks in a battle for the top spot.
Bennett Silvyn expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in business, marketing and sports management. Silvyn has interned in marketing and social media for the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission, as a reporter for Arizona Foothills Magazine, in sponsorships for the Arizona Rattlers and in social and digital media for FC Tucson. Silvyn has also reported for the Walter Cronkite Sports Network and The State Press.