ASU Basketball Heartbroken By Texas Tech In 2OT Shootout: 3 Takeaways

ASU basketball lost its fourth consecutive game with a 111-106 road defeat to Texas Tech in double overtime on Wednesday night.

“They’re playing like a team that is just sick and tired of losing,” ASU basketball play-by-play announcer Tim Healey said on the Sun Devil radio network broadcast. At the time, the Sun Devils were knotted in a battle against the Red Raiders. Despite missing a key starter in freshman forward Jayden Quaintance for an extended amount of time with an ankle injury, they were battling.

That battle took the Maroon and Gold to times where they were one stop away from winning the game. One failed stop led to the first overtime period. The second led to an additional five minutes. As they fumbled the lead, the turnovers piled up to make the deficit insurmountable in the barnburner’s final moments.

After controlling the lead for stretches, ASU basketball left Lubbock with its 10th conference defeat of the season, and fourth consecutive. It was another instance where it fell short in a high-flying Big 12.

Here are three takeaways from the loss.

Takeaway #1: The bank was open

Sunday’s loss to Oklahoma State saw ASU basketball force up constant shots, especially coming from the backcourt with senior guard Alston Mason and freshman guard Joson Sanon. Wednesday night saw a similar play style with a different result.

The Sun Devils shot 40-for-72 from the floor, 13-for-27 from beyond the arc and 13-for-16 from the free-throw line. The Red Raiders gained the edge in field goal shooting, going 39-for-68, but went 10-for-26 from three-point land and 23-for-32 on free throws, entering the bonus with 5:10 remaining in the second half.

What might be more surprising was the Maroon and Gold’s ability to take a 45-44 halftime lead. There was nearly a 16% difference in field goal shooting between the two sides, with the home side leading the way with 64.3%. The visitors pressured the favorites with their guards make plays, including multiple triples.

It is the way of offensive production under head coach Bobby Hurley. On a night with a favorable basket, it can spur conversation, energy, and future upsets needed to get back in the NCAA tournament picture.

Takeaway #2: Toppin time

While ASU basketball sent murmurs across United Supermarkets Arena, Texas Tech relieved its fans with a familiar face.

Sophomore forward JT Toppin spearheaded the Red Raider attack with a career-high 41 points along with 15 rebounds, with seven on the offensive end. He asserted his dominance as one of the best players on the court. Additionally, it was another night where he needed to step up, with super-senior guard Chance McMillian once again held to single digits.

Toppin announced his presence with his 18 first half points, followed by 19 in the second half, which included his only triple attempt (and make) of the game. The New Mexico transfer also scored four points in double overtime, including a dunk to give his team a 107-104 lead with 56 seconds to go. The visitors could not restore the lead after that basket.

Because he missed four games this season, Toppin is not the team’s leading scorer. But he is now 23 points behind junior forward Darrion Williams (who had 27 points on Wednesday night) in total points and 34 points behind the leading McMillian.

Takeaway #3: Ali shows playmaking abilities

After ASU basketball’s loss to Arizona, Hurley was asked why freshman guard/forward Amier Ali did not play. Hurley responded that he was told to play a “tighter”, seven-man rotation against the in-state rival, and that Ali would be back on the court.

Since then, Ali has shown his coach and Sun Devil nation why he belongs in the rotation, finding a groove that has correlated with the absences of starters during the Maroon and Gold’s trip to the Great Plains.

The Little Elm, TX native, who posted his first career double-double on Sunday afternoon, scored 18 points in his first trip back to his home state. Most notably, he went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, and also picked up seven rebounds. Additionally, he had his second game of the season with at least two steals and two fouls when senior forward Basheer Jihad and senior guard Alston Mason both fouled out in double overtime.

Wednesday night showed Ali as a playmaker, who is willing to distribute, steal, and keep the ball, instead of just wading to the corner for a triple attempt. After all, desperate days call for poised performances.

Up next for ASU basketball (12-12, 3-10): vs. TCU (13-11, 6-7) – Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. EST

Up next for No. 12 Texas Tech basketball (19-5, 10-3): at Oklahoma State (12-12, 4-9) – Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. EST