(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
In a heart breaking loss that came down to the last second, ASU falls to Oregon at home 68-67. Senior forward Shaquielle McKissic led the way for the Devils with 24 points, and the Ducks’ high point man was junior forward Elgin Cook with 22.
Both teams came out of the gates hot, making four of its first six attempts respectively, including a three-pointer to start the game from senior forward Shaquielle McKissic, but it didn’t last long. The Ducks made one of their next five attempts, and ASU went on its own four minute scoring drought as well.
ASU’s shooting woes continued, and Oregon was up 30-20 as the half was coming to a close, but thanks to Atwood and McKissic, as well as a last second shot by freshman guard Tra Holder, ASU cut the lead to five at halftime.
That lead did not last long into the second half though, as Holder and McKissic hit back-to-back threes, and Jacobsen picked up a lay in with the foul. After Jacobsen missed the free throw, the Sun Devils came back down and found a wide open McKissic who hit another three pointer, putting ASU up two.
With 1:44 remaining, the Ducks held a two-point lead with Jacobsen on the line, and made one of two trimming the lead in half. The assuming possession resulted in a desperation heave from senior guard Joseph Young after misinterpreting the time left on the shot clock thanks to the ASU student section, and the Sun Devils had the ball with 1:06 left down by one.
The Sun Devils had the last shot opportunity with 33 seconds left after extending the possession, but a tough, contested shot by McKissic was missed, and Young hit two free throws on the other end following the foul.
Senior forward Jonathan Gilling missed a three to tie, and sent Young back to the line, but Young missed the front end leaving the lead at three. Naturally, it was McKissic to come back and hit a fadeaway three with one second remaining to send it to overtime.
A blocked shot by McKissic gave the Devils the ball down one with 52 seconds remaining in overtime, and McKissic took the opportunity and scored on a drive to the basket to give them the lead. In the following possession, Young hit the go-ahead jumper for Oregon and gave the Ducks a one-point lead that would seal the deal after a missed three from Bo Barnes.
Player of the Game: Shaquielle McKissic
Not to mention his clutch three to send the game to overtime, McKissic hit five other threes throughout the game, including three in a row to start the second half. His play on offense carried them on that end of the floor, and created energy on the defensive end.
Stat of the game: four second half turnovers
After 10 first half turnovers, ASU cut that in half after halftime and was a major part of their second half success.
Biggest concern: Free throw shooting
An area they continue to struggle in, the Sun Devils shot 47 percent from the line, and it took a toll on them considering how close the game was the whole way.
What’s Next?
ASU welcomes No. 6 Arizona into Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, February 7.
