ASU’s Torian Graham puts his head at the rim on alley-oop vs. Stanford

Mar 8, 2017, 3:22 PM | Updated: 3:46 pm

For the third time this season, Stanford was having trouble matching up with small ball Arizona State in the Pac-12 Tournament opener.

On Wednesday, guard Torian Graham caught the Cardinal defense napping and, thanks to a backscreen, had a flight path to the rim late in the first half. Big man Obinna Oleka tossed a lob from atop the arc that allowed Graham to use a bit of creative freedom. He cocked back the soft pass as his head hit rim level and threw down the slam.

Soon after halftime, Graham was back at attacking a soft Stanford interior defense.

He crossed over his defender and went down the middle of the lane for a two-handed dunk.

Graham scored 30 and 24 points in two regular season games against Stanford, so his success was no surprise.

He finished regulation with 17 points as the Sun Devils were paced by Oleka’s 27 points and Tra Holder’s 21 in the 98-88 overtime win for Arizona State.

ASU will face No. 1-seeded Oregon at 1 p.m. MST for a Thursday quarterfinal matchup.

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Stanford's Michael Humphrey, left, grabs a rebound over Arizona State's Andre Adams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Stanford's Reid Travis (22) shoots over Arizona State's Andre Adams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona State's Tra Holder passes from the ground against Stanford's Marcus Allen during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Stanford's Michael Humphrey (10) shoots over Arizona State's Andre Adams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona State's Obinna Oleka reacts after scoring a 3-point shot against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona State's Tra Holder shoots over Stanford's Michael Humphrey during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona State won 98-88.(AP Photo/John Locher)

Stanford's Michael Humphrey, left, fouls Arizona State's Obinna Oleka during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona State won 98-88.(AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona State's Shannon Evans II celebrates after scoring against Stanford during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona State won 98-88. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Stanford's Michael Humphrey (10) shoots over Arizona State's Ramon Vila (33) and Arizona State's Tra Holder (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona State won 98-88.(AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona State's Obinna Oleka (5) battles for the ball with Stanford's Michael Humphrey, left and Dorian Pickens during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona State won 98-88. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Stanford's Michael Humphrey (10) and Arizona State's Andre Adams scramble for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Stanford's Marcus Allen shoots against Arizona State's Kodi Justice during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona State's Torian Graham dunks Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona State won 98-88. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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