Edwards, Arizona State overpower Central Connecticut
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Playing a game halfway around the world less than a week ago didn’t seem to have many lasting effects on the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Additionally, a 90-49 rout of Central Connecticut on Thursday night allowed coach Bobby Hurley to give his main rotation players some rest.
Rob Edwards made five first-half 3-pointers and finished with 23 points, leading Arizona State to its first win. The game was the Sun Devils’ first since a loss to Pac-12 rival Colorado in China on November 8 and was their home opener.
"Rob, I'm proud and happy for him," Hurley said. "He's been terrific our first two games."
Edwards did most of his damage in the first 20 minutes with 15 points, as Arizona State never trailed again after being down 2-0 in the opening minutes.
"Most of the time teams leave me open," Edwards said. "So I just let it fly. Especially off the drive-and-kick, that's a shot I've got to make."
Arizona State (1-1) went on runs of 11-0 and 9-0 in the first half and took a 43-23 lead into halftime on a 3 from Edwards with 12 seconds to go. It was the Sun Devils’ largest lead of the half.
Remy Martin scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half and freshman Jaelen House finished with 14 points and five assists for Arizona State.
"The first night (back from China) I couldn't fall asleep the whole night," House said. "But other than that, I'm back on track now."
Romello White and Taeshon Cherry made their season debuts for the Sun Devils. Both were key contributors to last seasons’s NCAA tournament team but were suspended for the Sun Devils’ season opener in China against Colorado for violating team rules. White had 11 rebounds.
The Blue Devils (0-3) went more than 5 ½ minutes without scoring in the first half, but trailed by just seven, 26-19, on a 3 from Zach Newkirk. Arizona State scored the next nine points, punctuated by Jalen Graham’s dunk with 2:43 left.
Freshman Greg Outlaw's nine points led the Blue Devils. Central Connecticut has 10 players in their first year with the program and has a total of 11 underclassmen.
The Sun Devils took a 26-point lead on a layup and free throw from House with 12:36 to play in the game.
The Blue Devils made just 17 of 57 from the field and had 23 turnovers.
"It’s teams that play together, that look for each other, that talk on defense and help each other out that are the ones that get the upsets," Blue Devils coach Donyell Marshall said. "Teams that play selfish are the ones that get blown out like we did."
BIG PICTURE
Central Connecticut faces a grueling travel schedule. The Blue Devils must travel back East after a 10 p.m. ET tipoff in Arizona to play Massachusetts in an early afternoon game on Saturday. They were picked to finish 10th (second to last) in their conference in the preseason coaches poll.
Arizona State figures to face a tougher test in Rider on Sunday. That game will be the last true home game for the Sun Devils until Dec. 7, when Louisiana Lafayette comes to Tempe. Four Pac-12 teams will have played six home games before the Sun Devils play their third at home.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
The first basket of the game for Arizona State was a steal in the open court and two-handed dunk from Martin at the 18:43 mark. Martin didn't score again until the second half.
UP NEXT
Central Connecticut looks for its first win when it faces Massachusetts on Saturday.
Arizona State hosts Rider on Sunday afternoon. The Broncs were picked to finish second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in the league’s preseason coaches poll, with five starters back from last year’s team.
