SEATTLE — Remy Martin and his Arizona State teammates spent two days going over all the little mistakes that led to its last second loss at Washington State.
Over those two days, there was a lot of learning. And a lot of something else.
“A lot of, you know, running,” Martin said with a chuckle. “A good amount. We’ve ran worse, but a good amount, just trying to learn from our mistakes and I think we did.”
Martin and the Sun Devils gave coach Bobby Hurley the response he was hoping for in an 87-83 win over Washington on Saturday night.
Martin scored 19 points to lead five Arizona State players in double figures, and the Sun Devils (13-8, 4-4 Pac-12) held off Washington in the closing minutes to stay in the middle of the conference race.
“I know we’re kind of running out of time but I think once we figure it out, going back home against the L.A. schools and make a little run from there, I think it would be nice,” Martin said.
Martin led the Sun Devils on a night there was plenty of balance but most of the scoring seemed to come from the free throw line.
The teams combined for 49 fouls and shot a combined 68 free throws. Arizona State was 27 of 33 at the free-throw line, including 21 of 25 in the second half.
Rob Edwards, Romello White and Alonzo Verge Jr. each added 18 points for the Sun Devils. White, a 62.7% free-throw shooter entering the game, was 8 for 8 at the line.
“Everyone just kind of did their part,” Hurley said. “We didn’t do that at Washington State.”
Washington (12-11, 2-8) lost its fifth straight in a season that has become defined by close losses. Marcus Tsohonis led the Huskies with 19 points, while Hameir Wright and Isaiah Stewart both added 14, but it was another disappointing loss in a season that started with high expectations.
Washington pulled within 87-83 after Wright’s third 3-pointer with 16 seconds left. Arizona State turned the ball over, but the Sun Devils recovered quickly on defense and Washington failed to get a good look in the closing seconds.
The 87 points were a season-high allowed by Washington and the third-most allowed in a conference game in coach Mike Hopkins’ three seasons.
“The thing we keep reiterating to the team is that we’re good enough. Now we have to play a little bit better and that’s just the bottom line,” Hopkins said.
This one was decided by Arizona State’s run midway through the second half.
Washington pulled within 41-38 after Wright knocked down three free throws, but the Sun Devils scored nine of the next 11 points and took their largest lead at 50-40 on Edwards’ 3-pointer in transition with nearly 14 minutes remaining.
White’s two free throws about 2 minutes later pushed the lead to 11 and the lead reached 13 on Verge’s driving layup with 8:59 left.
Washington pulled within six on Nahziah Carter’s highlight dunk with 5:39 left but Arizona State withstood the Huskies run and pushed the lead to 79-69 on Khalid Thomas’ 3-pointer as the shot clock expired.
CUT OFF
Washington is now 1-6 this season when allowing 75 or more points. It’s only win was a 90-80 win over Eastern Washington.
“Defensively in this game, it’s really simple, we don’t give up 87 points. … Unacceptable for us,” Hopkins said.
BIG PICTURE
Arizona State: The Sun Devils continue to be very good the past two years coming off a loss. Arizona State is 15-3 over the past two seasons following a defeat, including 6-2 this season.
Washington: The Huskies made a season-high 14 3-pointers in their loss to Arizona, but relied on shooting from behind the arc too much against the Sun Devils. Washington was 3 of 15 in the first half and 9 of 31 for the game.
LINEUP CHANGES
Washington went with its two freshmen in the backcourt with Tsohonis getting his first start and RaeQuan Battle his third.
Arizona State also altered its starting lineup with Mickey Mitchell getting his first start since the 2017-18 season. Mitchell was limited to six games last year due to a back injury and had played in 12 games this year.
Mitchell didn’t score in 19 minutes and fouled out.
UP NEXT
The Huskies travel to rival Washington State on Sunday, Feb. 9.
