UCLA’s blistering shooting was too much for Arizona State men’s basketball to overcome in a 90-77 loss after it fell into a deep hole early on Wednesday.
ASU trailed by 13 at a media timeout with 13:50 left in the game before a 14-6 run that included nine points from Pig Johnson, who dealt with early foul trouble. It brought ASU within five points before UCLA responded with two 3s.
Johnson continued the flurry by getting to the line any possession he wanted to, closing the gap in free throws after the Bruins dominated the category early.
He added six of ASU’s next eight points — all at the line — but UCLA continued to hit the 3s to maintain breathing room. After the five-point gap with 9:39 left, a six-point difference with 7:35 remaining was as close as it got.
UCLA had not made more than nine 3s in a contest yet this season before knocking down 14 of 26 on Wednesday, also notching a season-best 53.8%. ASU shot a season-worst 15.4% from 3 with four makes on 26 tries.
Johnson’s 20 points led ASU scorers, going 14 of 14 at the line.
How did ASU get into deep hole at UCLA?
ASU was off to a horrendous shooting start, beginning 4-for-18 (0-for-10 from 3) before making seven of its next 12 (2 of 5 from 3) and missing the final three shots of the half. By contrast, UCLA shot 48.1% in the first half with seven made 3s on 12 tries.
Donovan Dent (20 points) is an offensive engine by himself, but he also had Skyy Clark next to him raining down 3s (6 of 10) to help the Bruins out to a 15-point lead less than 11 minutes in.
Johnson getting his third foul after 11 minutes and Massamba Diop getting his third after 19 minutes didn’t help. While Johnson’s second-half minutes nearly cut the Bruins’ lead almost singlehandedly, Diop (15 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes) picked up his fourth foul 43 seconds after he made his return.
Guard depth, the area where the Sun Devils have been hit the most by injuries, was tested.
Trevor Best came out with with a leg injury late in the first half. Best has been the guard that gives point guard Moe Odum a rest for short stints, playing 22 minutes over the past three games in that role. On-ball defense has been his calling card.
ASU was already without starting shooting guard Bryce Ford (leg) and Adante’ Holiman (elbow) is yet to play this season, so losing Best long-term would put even more strain on the rotation.
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