The Arizona State Sun Devils (11-12, 5-7 in Pac-12) lost 82-70 in their road matchup with the Colorado Buffaloes (16-7, 7-5 in Pac-12).
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This was the Sun Devils’ second straight game with a ridiculously slow start.
ASU trailed 18-1 to begin the game and did not score their first field goal until six minutes in. The team missed its first seven shots from the field, while the Buffaloes clicked instantly.
good to have ya back @C_Will101124 🔨
📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/ZZkPv4jwUU
— Colorado Men's Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) February 9, 2024
Despite the slow start, ASU gradually climbed back into the game. They cut the lead all the way down to five with under two minutes to go in the second half.
No Quit 🚫@AceWolf44 quiets the crowd with a huge shot 🔇
📺 @FS1
📱https://t.co/cjJg4JYpC2 pic.twitter.com/OxynIgreXN— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) February 9, 2024
However, the Buffaloes continued to knock down timely shots. The main story of this game was the free throw line, where Colorado converted 26 of their points.
The Sun Devils took care of the ball as they have all season long but that was once again not enough.
Frankie Colline led ASU in scoring with 18. Colorado’s immense talent proved to be too much as J’Vonne Hadley, KJ Simpson, and Tristan da Silva each finished with 15+ points.
J'Vonne Hadley's double-double lifts Colorado past Arizona State! 🦬
Highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/D9Md6q5Bl2
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) February 9, 2024
Arizona State has now lost five straight and stands ninth in the Pac-12 after having a real shot at first just last month.
Key Stats
Arizona State: Field goals: 27/61 (44.3%), 3 Pointers: 7/22 (31.8%), Free throws: 9/14 (64.3%)
Colorado: Field goals: 24/51 (47.1%), 3 Pointers: 8/20 (40%), Free throws: 26/29 (89.7%)
Arizona State: 27 total rebounds, 9 turnovers, 12 points off turnovers
Colorado: 32 total rebounds, 13 turnovers, 17 points off turnovers
Next Up for the Sun Devils
The team desperately needs a victory to secure some type of momentum going forward.
They will next face the Utah Utes (15-8, 6-6 in Pac-12), who the Sun Devils already defeated a little over a month ago.
Utah has lost three of its last four games but did take No. 8 ranked Arizona on a triple-overtime thriller.
WHAT A GAME 🤯
No. 8 Arizona outlasts Utah in a 3OT thriller! @PacPremierBank pic.twitter.com/coaw9rb2q1
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) February 9, 2024
Saturday’s game should be treated as a must-win for Bobby Hurley and the Sun Devils.
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Saleh Awwad is a writer/reporter covering the Arizona State Sun Devils, Phoenix High School Sports, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @SalehAwwad_
