Sun Devils fall to UCLA in overtime thriller, 79-74

Arizona State came into the matchup at UCLA, Feb. 27, 3-0 in overtime games this season. Leaving Wednesday, though, the Sun Devils are now 3-1.

Jahii Carson had 22 points and Carrick Felix had a monster double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the consistent play across the board from the UCLA freshmen class. The Bruins went on to edge Arizona State in overtime, 79-74.

Both teams struggled to shoot the ball, as ASU shot 40.3 percent (29-72) from the field, while UCLA shot 42.4 percent (28-66).

The Sun Devils showed poise early, jumping out on the Bruins thanks to a 10-2 run, making the score 19-12 in favor of ASU early on in the first half. Arizona State began the game shooting 6-11 from the field, and went on the finish the first half 16-30 from the field, 53.3 percent.

At the head of the charge to begin the game was an unlikely source, as Jonathan Gilling opened the game shooting 4-4 from three-point land. At the end of the half he led the Sun Devils with 12 points.

With 7:52 to play in the first half, ASU held on to a 27-22 lead. The Bruins erased the five-point deficit and tied the game, but the Sun Devils took the lead into the half, 41-39.

Felix only attempted four shots in the first half, but made three of them and had nine points at the half, as did Carson. Carson, however, was 4-9 in the first 20 minutes, but still had five assists.

Shabazz Muhammad led UCLA at the half with 16 points on 6-9 shooting.

In a fast pace and up-and-down style of play, both teams traded baskets until halfway through the second half. However, the Bruins started to maintain a lead, when they led 61-55 with 7:47 to play.

Despite trailing for most of the game, ASU came back from five down and used a three-point play from Carson to gain a one-point edge. UCLA responded on the next possession though, and led by two, 70-68, with 1:23 to play.

A transition basket caused by the speed of Carson tied the game at 70, where the teams remained until the end of regulation. UCLA had a chance at the go-ahead basket late, but missed. Carson then had a 35-foot three-pointer for the win, which came up short.

In the overtime period the Sun Devils only scored two baskets, though, unable to find ways to score the basketball. The Bruins scored nine points in the overtime period, and went on the win the game, 79-74.