Lockett returns, Sun Devils beat Utah
Published: February 09, 2012 @ 9:26pm
Arizona State center Jordan Bachynski, left, blocks a shot by Utah guard Chris Hines during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Lockett, who suffered a severe ankle injury in a win against Oregon State on January 14, played 36 minutes, and scored 12 points while grabbing 6 rebounds.
The Sun Devils led by 14 points with 6:26 to go after a runner by Chanse Creekmur. But the Utes fought back, and after a three-pointer by Kareem Storey with :47 left, the ASU lead was trimmed to two points.
Arizona State hit three of four free throws in the game's final 11 seconds to seal the win and snap a 2-game losing streak.
When it was over: When Carrick Felix hit two free throws with :11 to go to give the Devils a 4-point cushion.
Who stepped up?: Several Sun Devils could land on this list, but we'll include three. First, Lockett, for making his presence felt despite having rust from his layoff.
Secondly, Felix, who led ASU with 15 points and 8 rebounds. And lastly, sophomore big man Jordan Bachynski, who recorded his first collegiate double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Bachynski also contributed on defense by tying a career-high with 4 blocked shots.
Stat of the Game: The Sun Devils won despite committing 20 turnovers -- a statistic that head coach Herb Sendek labeled "amazing" after the game. Fortunately for ASU, Utah was unable to capitalize on their generosity, turning the 20 turnovers into just 10 points.
They said it: "One of my favorite ideas from Gandhi is 'you can't do one thing in your life without having affect another.' Just like basketball, you can't play hard on the defensive end without it affecting the offensive end, and I really feel like that's how we played as a team." - ASU center Jordan Bachynski, who possibly became the first player in college basketball history to have a double-double and then drop a Gandhi quote on the media on the same night.
What it means: With the win, the Sun Devils improve their record to 8-16 overall and 4-8 in the Pac-12. Utah falls to 5-19 and 2- 10 in conference play in their first season in the Pac-12. It also means that Arizona State was able to avenge one of their uglier losses of the year -- a 64-43 debacle in Salt Lake City three weeks ago.
What's Next: The Sun Devils will have a chance to avenge another embarrassing loss when they host Colorado (16-8, 8-4) Saturday afternoon in Tempe.
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