Fork Report: Justice, Jacobsen lead Arizona State in huge comeback over UNLV

Dec 4, 2014, 4:24 AM | Updated: 4:32 pm

Arizona State started its 77-55 victory over UNLV shooting just 16 percent from the field in the first five minutes.

The Rebels took advantage of that, streaking on a 21-6 run and shooting 60 percent from the field.

But then ASU’s leading three-point shooter, Jonathan Gilling, came in and fired off a triple to get some momentum flowing, and freshman guard Kodi Justice showed poise as he fired off two of his own behind the arc on his way to a career-high-tying eight points at the half.

The Sun Devils would then make five of their next seven shots on their way to a 20-2 run over the next five minutes to tie the ball game at the half 37-37.

“We were really pleased with the way our guys kept their poise and composure when we fell behind by 15 early and they had the discipline they needed to stick to the game plan,” head coach Herb Sendek said.

Like ASU, UNLV starts a young squad. The Rebels carry six freshmen (all of whom have seen minutes this year), and three sophomores, juniors and seniors as opposed to the five Sun Devil freshmen and sophomores and three juniors and seniors.

But it only really took one freshman to make a big difference in the game for both teams.

Justice played pace-setter for the Sun Devils, helping with that early momentum swing and hitting a career-high 13 points with five rebounds and six assists.

Eric Jacobsen also lent his second career double-double to the victory, racking up 16 points and 12 rebounds alongside three blocks. He also had a statement dunk to open the second half and made ASU’s closing argument with a high-flying swat in the air with just under two minutes left.

And a Sun Devils squad that had begun the game down 15 points led by that many with 3:14 left to play, finishing out their fifth win of the season 77-55.

Arizona State will see Texas A&M on the road next on Saturday, Dec. 6.

THE GOOD

– Gilling’s initial 3-pointer sparked the momentum and he was able to follow it up with nine points off three triples. He also added five rebounds, two blocks and an assist.

– Gerry Blakes also stepped up once again with 11 points and nine of ASU’s 46 total rebounds.

– The victory was Herb Sendek’s 400th, a milestone that makes him the third-youngest active Division-I basketball coach to achieve the total.

– Arizona State now improves to 5-0 at home and 16-4 at home in the past two seasons. The Sun Devils are 39-5 at home in the past 44 home games.

– The Sun Devils’ bench stepped up big time, scoring 25 points and boasting standout performances from Gilling and Bo Barnes (11 points).

THE BAD

– Sixteen percent shooting from the field to open the game. Sixteen.

– Aside from the 942 Crew, attendance fell woefully short of Wells Fargo Arena’s 10,000+ capacity, with 5,822 fans present.

STAT OF THE GAME

15: ASU would be singing a 4-3 tune if it hadn’t mustered the offense needed for a comeback in the first half. Interestingly enough, Arizona State’s initial 15-point deficit became the same deficit for UNLV with 3:14 left in the game.