ASU Men's Basketball Earns Valley Bragging Rights in Win over GCU

PHOENIX – Sun Devils Men's Basketball traveled to Footprint Center and handed Grand Canyon their first loss of the season in a neutral-site matchup on Thursday night.
 
Arizona State (3-1) controlled the second half and emerged with a 87-76 win over GCU (2-1). Behind 21 points from freshman guard Joson Sanon off the bench along with 18 from senior forward Basheer Jihad, Bobby Hurley secured the 200th career win of his head coaching career. Arizona State rose to the occasion in another premiere atmosphere, as 13,705 Valley basketball fans were in attendance to watch the in-state rivals do battle.
 
GCU trailed Western Kentucky by six with under 90 seconds to play in their last game, but ended the game on an 8-0 run to defeat a 2024 NCAA tournament team and C-USA preseason favorite. Despite the reputation of resiliency from their foe, Arizona State squashed any potential GCU comeback attempt, answering every run the Lopes put together down the stretch.

Three Sun Devils players reached double figures tonight, led by Joson Sanon, who came off the bench and had 21 points while connecting 5-of-7 shots beyond the arc. Basheer Jihad found his rhythm at the free throw line, shooting 9-11 at the line and finishing with 18 points and five rebounds. Alston Mason operated the offense effectively throughout the contest, adding 16 points while dishing out five assists. 
 
3-1 Start
The Sun Devils are now 3-1 or better to start the season for the seventh time in the Bobby Hurley era. None of those seasons offered the type of challenges presented by the 2024-25 campaign. To reach 3-1, Arizona State has had to defeat two 2024 NCAA Tournament teams away from home (Santa Clara - Las Vegas, Grand Canyon - Phoenix). Their lone loss is a closely contested affair on the road at No. 4 Gonzaga. Head Coach Bobby Hurley's staff put together one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the country and his team is responding positively.

Series History
Arizona State owns a 4-0 advantage in the series (not counting an exhibition victory), winning the first ever matchup held at a neutral site between the two sides. The Sun Devils are 3-0 against the Lopes since they made the transition to the Division I level for the 2013-14 season.

Milestone Complete
Hurley earned the 200th win in his head coaching career between Arizona State and Buffalo in his 12th season at the Division I level. 158 of those wins have come with Sun Devil Men's Basketball. Hurley also earned his 150th career win over Grand Canyon back in 2021.

First Half:
Basheer Jihad knocked down two free throws to give the Sun Devils their first points of the night, tying it up at 2-2 against the Lopes. BJ Freeman was able to grab his own rebound off his initial shot at the rack and got it to go down being contested, tying it back up at 6-6 heading into the first media timeout. 
 
Coming out of the medi timeout, Alston Mason was able to knock one down beyond the arc, giving ASU a 9-6 lead over GCU, their first lead of the night. Shawn Phillips Jr. was all over the glass, securing an alley-oop dunk and a put-back dunk, to give the Sun Devils a 13-10 lead with 12:16 remaining in the first half. 
 
BJ Freeman backed his man down for a tough fade-hook shot, giving ASU a 17-14 lead over GCU with 10:12 remaining in the half. Amier Ali took control for a contested three off the fast-break, giving the Sun Devils a 20-17 lead over the Lopes. GCU managed to complete a 4-0 scoring run before the third media timeout, taking a 21-20 lead over ASU. 
 
Joson Sanon pulled one from deep with a hand in his face and knocked it down, regaining a 25-22 lead with 6:28 remaining in the first half. The Lopes managed to go on a 7-0 scoring run, forcing the Sun Devils to take a timeout while being down 30-28. Heading into the last media timeout of the half with 3:57 remaining, Basheer Jihad is set to shoot two free throws to bring ASU's deficit within two.
 
Joson Sanon found his rhythm with knocking down back-to-back shots beyond the arc, closing ASU's deficit within one with GCU leading 40-39. Alston Mason took it to the rack and managed to rattle it in, giving the Sun Devils a 41-40 lead over the Lopes heading into halftime. 
 
Second Half:
Adam Miller snuck in a pass to Jayden Quaintance under the basket for an easy layup, giving the Sun Devils a 43-40 lead to begin the second half. Alston Mason kicked it out to Adam Miller for a wide-open three, giving ASU a 50-43 lead over GCU with 16:57 remaining in regulation. Jayden Quaintance found Basheer Jihad wide open in the corner for an easy knock-down three, giving the Sun Devils a 53-45 lead heading into the first media timeout of the half with 15:54 remaining. 
 
After GCU managed to put together a 7-0 scoring run, Alston Mason was able to knock down both free throw attempts, giving ASU a 55-52 lead over GCU with 12:59 remaining in regulation. Alston Mason found Joson Sanon open beyond the arc for another knocked-down three, giving the Sun Devils a 61-52 lead over the Lopes heading into the second media timeout with 11:53 remaining in the half. 
 
Alston Mason took advantage of the fast-break and found Jayden Quaintance in the paint for a one-hand slam, giving ASU a 64-55 lead with 9:25 remaining in the half. Alston Mason took advantage of the fast-break once again and took it all the way to the rack to give the Sun Devils a 71-60 lead, forcing the Lopes to use their last timeout of the half to regroup. 
 
Coming out of the media timeout, a 4-0 scoring run put together by GCU was cut short with the help of Basheer Jihad knocking down both free throws, giving ASU a 73-64 lead with 5:27 remaining in regulation. Following that, Basheer Jihad knocked down a contested jay from the corner for an and-1 opportunity. The Sun Devils hold a 78-69 lead over the Lopes with Basheer Jihad heading to the line after the last media timeout of regulation. 
 
Jayden Quaintance pick-pocketed the defender and found Adam Miller in the fast-break for a contested layup, increasing the Sun Devils lead to 83-71 with 2:40 remaining. ASU took control of the final minutes and were able to bleed the clock until the buzzer, coming out on top with a 87-76 win over GCU. 

The Grand Canyon Arizona State
Grand Canyon now falls to 131-47 in the state of Arizona since becoming a Division I program (2013-14). Arizona State is responsible for three of those losses. GCU is now 0-3 against the Sun Devils and boast a 131-44 (75%) in other games played in Arizona.

The Jayden Quaintance Effect
Jayden Quaintance came into tonight's game leading the nation in blocks per game thus far in the season. He added two blocks to his total tonight and had an impact on GCU shooting at the rim. The Lopes finished a putrid 13-for-28 (46%) on layups and 19-for-42 (45%) on shots inside the arc in large part due to Jayden Quaintance's presence down low.

Neutralizing the Opponent
Arizona State continues their success under Bobby Hurley at neutral sites. The Sun Devils have defeated two NCAA Tournament teams in neutral settings already in 2024-25 (Grand Canyon, Santa Clara). ASU has now won 15 games overall under Hurley in neutral games. That includes past wins over NC State, Kansas State, St. John's, Mississippi State, Xavier, Michigan, Utah State, and Creighton.

Finding our Rhythm 
The Sun Devils started off the game shooting 1-7 from the field and had just four points four minutes into the game, but settled in after that. Arizona State shot 13-for-21 from the field and scored 37 points the rest of the half to take the lead into the break.

Ba-sheer Force
In his first two games, Basheer Jihad combined for five points on 1-of-10 shooting. Over his past two games, Jihad has accumulated 40 points on 11-of-19 shooting. He is also 16-for-18 (88.9%) from the free throw line during that span.

Filing the Stands
Arizona State rose to the occasion in another premiere atmosphere, as 13,705 Valley basketball fans were in attendance to watch the in-state rivals do battle.

Empty the Notebook
- Arizona State had a staggering 21 points off of turnovers as well as 30 points off the bench
- Arizona State owns a 4-0 advantage in the series (not counting an exhibition victory), including sweeping a home-and-home set in 2020-21. 
- GCU had won two of its last three games at Footprint Center before tonight.
- From 13:34 to 8:47 in the second half, ASU went on a 14-4 run in 4:47, shooting 4-of-6 from the field and limiting the Lopes to 1-of-10 shooting, extending the lead to 11. The lead would never get below 7 points for the rest of the game. 
 
Hit the Mark
The Sun Devils shot 53.7% (29/54) from the field tonight. ASU is 48-4 (.923) when it shoots 50 percent or better from the field under Bobby Hurley.

2024-25: 1-0
2023-24: 4-1
2022-23: 6-0
2021-22: 2-1
2020-21: 5-1
2019-20: 4-0
2018-19: 9-0
2017-18: 10-0
2016-17: 4-0
2015-16: 3-0

ASU in Neutral Site Games (Under Hurley)
Bobby Hurley is now 6-4 over the past three seasons in Neutral site contests. 

2024-25 (2-0)
ASU 87 vs. Grand Canyon 76 (Nov. 14, 2024) - Hall of Fame Series at Footprint Center (Phoenix, AZ)
ASU 81, Santa Clara 74 (Nov. 8, 2024) - Hoopfest at Lee's Family Forum (Las Vegas, NV)
2023-24 (1-4)
Northwestern 65, ASU 46 (Dec. 20, 2023) - Jerry Colangelo Classic at Footprint Center (Phoenix, AZ)
TCU 79, ASU 59 (Dec. 16, 2023) - USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge at Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, TX)
ASU 82, Vanderbilt 67 (Nov. 24, 2023) - Vegas Showdown at Michelob ULTRA Arena
BYU 77, ASU 49 (Nov. 23, 2023) - Vegas Showdown at Michelob ULTRA Arena
Mississippi State 71, ASU 56 (Nov. 8, 2023) -- Barstool Invitational at Wintrust Arena (Chicago)
2022-23 (3-0)
ASU 73, Creighton 71 (Dec. 12, 2022) -- Jack Jones Hoopfest
ASU 87, #20 Michigan 62 (Nov. 17, 2022) -- Legends Classic at Barclays Center
ASU 63, VCU 59 (Nov. 16, 2022) -- Legends Classic at Barclays Center
2021-22 (0-3)
Loyola-Chicago 77, ASU 58 (Nov. 26, 2021) -- Battle 4 Atlantis
Syracuse 92, ASU 84 (Nov. 25, 2021) -- Battle 4 Atlantis
#6 Baylor 75, ASU 63 (Nov. 24, 2021) -- Battle 4 Atlantis
2020-21 (1-1)
#3 Villanova 83, #18 ASU 74  (Nov. 26, 2020 at at Mohegan Sun Arena) -- 2K Empire Classic
#18 ASU 94, Rhode Island 88 (Nov. 25, 2020 at Mohegan Sun Arena) -- 2K Empire Classic
2019-20 (1-3)
Saint Mary's 96, ASU 56 (Dec. 18, 2019 at Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix, Ariz.) -- Hall of Fame Showcase
#7 Virginia 48, ASU 45 (Nov. 24, 2019 at Mohegan Sun Arena) -- Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Tournament
ASU 80, St. John's 67 (Nov. 23, 2019 at Mohegan Sun Arena) -- Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Tournament
Colorado 81, ASU 71 (Nov. 9, 2019 at Baoshan Sports Center in Shanghai) -- Pac-12 China Game
2018-19 (2-1)
#6 Nevada 72, #20 ASU 66 (Dec. 7, 2018 at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles)
ASU 87, Utah State 82 (Nov. 21, 2018 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas) -- MGM Resorts Main Event
ASU 72, #15 Mississippi State 67 (Nov. 20, 2018 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas) -- MGM Resorts Main Event
2017-18 (3-0)
ASU 82, St. John's 70 (Dec. 8, 2017 at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles)
ASU 102, #15 Xavier 86 (Nov. 24, 2017 at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas) -- Continental Tire Invitational
ASU 92, Kansas State 90 (Nov. 23, 2017 at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas) -- Continental Tire Invitational
2016-17 (1-4)
#18 Purdue 97, ASU 64 (Dec. 6, 2016, at New York City) -- Jimmy V Classic
#1 Kentucky 115, ASU 69 (Nov. 28, 2016 at Bahamas)
Davidson 68, ASU 60 (Nov. 19, 2016 at Orlando) -- Tire Pros Invitational
ASU 80, Tulane 71 (Nov. 18, 2016 at Orlando) -- Tire Pros Invitational
Northern Iowa 82, ASU 63 (Nov. 17, 2016 at Orlando) -- Tire Pros Invitational
2015-16 (1-1)
Marquette 78, ASU 73, OT (Nov. 24, 2015 at Barclays Center) -- CBE Classic
ASU 79, NC State 76 (Nov. 23, 2015 at Barclays Center) -- CBE Classic
 
Up Next
Sun Devil Men's Basketball will return to Tempe and Desert Financial Arena where they will host St. Thomas on November 17th at 6 p.m. MST. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and also available on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (KMVP).
 
Sun Devils on Social
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Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley
Opening Statement:
"It was a really fun game to be a part of. I think it's great for the city, for the state of Arizona, to see two teams of that caliber go at each other. It was quality basketball. They have some really good pieces and if they can get them fostered, they're right back into the flow of what they're doing. They have a big upside to get better, as we do. I can't believe how much better we've gotten in less than three weeks. To see what we've done has been real positive. We just have to try and limit the turnovers we had in the first half. We've done that a couple of times, just have to take care of the ball a little better. It was just an exciting environment, it was a great crowd and the guys were just excited to play. Maybe a little too quick in the first half, but other than that and the offensive rebound, I'm sure we can close two areas, but otherwise very happy." 
 
On seeing ASU and GCU on the court more often: 
"I liked it. I liked it a few years ago when we did it. We did the home-and-home series and I thought it was a good thing. They're on the rise. They've arrived as a legitimate threat in college basketball. To go to the postseason with their guard play, to go beyond this game, they're built to have a really good year. So we can certainly negotiate and talk about that."
 
On 3-1 start
"I don't think, — and I told my team, there's nobody in the country through four games that has played a harder schedule than us… When you talk about playing Santa Clara neutral, this GCU team, a 30 win team with a lot of guys back and then on the road at Gonzaga.. So, just for us to be where we are right now, we're in a really good spot. We gotta keep getting better, get home. We got a couple of home games coming up and we're excited about where things are going."
 
On Joson Sanon's Performance 
"It looked like I was watching him in a gym in April… Rock Hill, South Carolina.. Jo is just playing with the ultimate confidence. He's such a gifted kid and when he gets in a zone like that he's virtually unstoppable because he could get to the basket, he can shoot right in the face, he can go off into the mid-range. So we were trying to get him involved as soon as he was in the game because he had that look like he had the ultimate confidence he was gonna make a play."
 
On Basheer Jihad's efforts
"Basheer has put together a heck of a couple of games for us, high level games. In rebounding the ball, putting the ball in the basket and like you touched on, get to the free throw line.. And then defenses have to play him away from the basket, he can shoot, he can drive. He's a very complete player. It's nice as a coach to have someone to do so many things to impact quality offense and Basheer does that..  That move he made was kind of a signature move in the middle of the floor when he was able to shot fake, step through and lay the ball in.. I had a lot of confidence when I saw that ball go through the basket with that move that we had a pretty good chance to win this game."
 
Arizona State Forward Basheer Jihad
On what attributes to the rapid improvement this season:
"I think we made a collective effort after the Duke game to try and come together more. I think we were apart, so I think the leadership grew. Guys like Ace (Adam Miller), B.J. (Freeman) and (Alston) Mason, they really stepped up and we're finally figuring it out."
 
On if his physicality plays as one of the teams strengths:
"I think we have the bodies. Down low, I think we have a good size, especially me and J.Q. (Jayden Quaintance) starting both being 6'9 plus. So I feel like that we can go to that or we can go to the finesse as well with the both of us."
 
Arizona State Guard Joson Sanon
On if he thought he would have a big game: 
"A little in warm ups, I was messing around and was missing a lot. I came into the game and started out hot." 
 
On coming off the bench: 
"It really doesn't matter. It's kind of the same, just go and play hard, help the team any way possible to win."