Arizona State's Second Half Surge Not Enough To Overcome Houston

TEMPE -- The Arizona State Sun Devils (10-8, 1-4 Big 12) dropped their sixth crippled retired of nan past 7 connected Sunday evening successful their 3rd consecutive roadworthy conflict against a classed force successful nan Houston Cougars (17-1, 5-0) - losing by a people of 103-73.

The Sun Devils were coming disconnected of a competitory nonaccomplishment to nan Arizona Wildcats, while Houston defeated West Virginia by astir 30 points nan past clip nan squad played.

Arizona State connected SI chronicles nan Sunday conflict beneath - including naming cardinal performers and updating fans connected what's up for nan Sun Devils.

First Half

Hurley opted to move Bryce Ford and Noah Meeusen into nan Sun Devils' starting lineup against nan relentless Houston defense - nan Cougars started retired nan crippled successful near-perfect fashion, arsenic they blitzed Arizona State to nan tune of a 17-2 lead astatine nan 15:53 people of nan half.

The Sun Devils yet settled successful aft a 2-12 commencement to nan crippled from nan floor, arsenic they made nan adjacent 4 changeable attempts that followed. Houston still held onto a important lead of 34-15 aft Moe Odum was forced retired owed to committing his 2nd foul of nan game.

Houston's high-ceiling discourtesy showed retired successful afloat unit successful nan first half of action, arsenic nan squad scored 56 points complete nan first 20 minutes of action. Six Cougars scored astatine slightest 8 points successful nan period, while nan defense forced 12 Arizona State turnovers and blocked 4 shots.

Second Half

The 2nd half started retired successful less-than-ideal manner for nan Sun Devils, arsenic Houston built up a lead of complete 30 points.

However, Arizona State continued to conflict backmost - outscoring nan Cougars 33-23 complete nan first 11 minutes of action successful nan last frame. This trim nan Houston lead to 79-62 astatine nan under-eight timeout.

The lead sunk to 13 points earlier Houston's starting portion reconvened and built up a 24 constituent advantage pinch conscionable complete 4 minutes remaining successful nan contest.

The Cougars yet wholly took complete nan crippled complete nan last minutes of action, erstwhile again building up a 30-point lead - clearing 100 points for nan first clip successful astir 2 years successful that process.

Key Performances

• Noah Meeusen - 10 PTS, 3 AST, 3-4 FG

• Bryce Ford - 10 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST

• Andrija Grbovic - 14 PTS, 4 REB

• Anthony "Pig" Johnson - 12 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL

What's Next

Arizona State returns location for 2 games - taking connected West Virginia connected Wednesday, earlier squaring disconnected against Cincinnati connected Saturday.

Read much connected why nan Arizona State men's hoops squad will transcend expectations successful nan 2025-26 season here, and connected why nan agleam early of nan shot programme isn’t dimmed by nan nonaccomplishment to Arizona here.

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