Sun Devils knocked off by Davidson in fifth-place game
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Jack Gibbs scored 28 points and Peyton Aldridge contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds to power Davidson past Arizona State 68-60 during the fifth-place game of the Tire Pros Invitational on Sunday.
The Wildcats (3-1) were patient throughout and moved the ball around until they found the open man. Gibbs, who also had four assists and two steals, was often that man as he consistently got past the Sun Devil guards for uncontested layups. But Gibbs greatest contribution came at the free throw line where he converted 16 of 21 attempts, including two key free throws with 28.5 seconds remaining to stretch the lead back out to six points.
In addition to Gibbs and Aldridge, the Wildcats also got double-digit production from Will Magarity (10).
Guard Tra Holder led ASU with 18 points before fouling out with 1:45 remaining and his team trailing 62-52. Shannon Evans II also finished with 13 points and seven assists for ASU (3-2).
"I thought we played as poor of an offensive half as I think we will maybe play all season," said ASU coach Bobby Hurley, whose team pulled within four points late after trailing by as many as 18 in the second half. "We are way more capable and better as an offensive team than we showed in the first half. We didn't make shots."
Davidson, an Atlantic 10 school, went 2-1 against Power 5 opponents in this week's tournament. The Wildcats defeated both Missouri and Arizona State convincingly after losing to Clemson in the opening round.
The Wildcats turned up the defensive pressure late in the first half and turned a two-point game into a 31-22 advantage by halftime. Davidson took an 11-point lead when Reigel made good on a 3-point play with 1:12 left in the opening half.
Reigel led the Wildcats with nine points while Magarity and Aldridge scored seven points apiece in the first 20 minutes.
Davidson shot 48 percent from the field, while holding the Sun Devils to just 29 percent shooting from the floor.
BIG PICTURE
Davidson: The Wildcats proved themselves as a quality team that can play with the big schools. Bob McKillop's team beats opponents by being patient, making the extra pass to find the open man. It worked well in wins over Missouri and Arizona State in this tournament. Davidson, however, must take better care of the ball. The Wildcats committed 18 turnovers against ASU.
Arizona St: This tournament has to be considered a letdown for the Sun Devils, who suffered double-digit losses to non-Power 5 opponents Northern Iowa and Davidson. Their lone victory in the Tire Pros Invitational came against Tulane in a loser bracket game. Holder is the Sun Devils leader but he has to play under control and take better shots.
UP NEXT
Davidson: The Wildcats face Charlotte at home on Saturday.
Arizona St: The Sun Devils return home to face Citadel on Wednesday.
