Arizona State men’s basketball holds off Texas Southern in home opener

Arizona State men's basketball went on a 16-6 run in the second half to pull away from Texas Southern and win in Tempe.

Nov 11, 2023, 3:51 PM

Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils talks to a ref in the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Barstool Sports Invitational at Wintrust Arena on November 8, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Texas Southern cut the game to two points midway through the second half, but Arizona State basketball went on a 16-6 run over the next seven-plus minutes to pull away and win 63-52 at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe.

Frankie Collins led the Sun Devils with 13 points while pulling down eight rebounds and six assists, as ASU bounced back from its opening-night loss to Mississippi State in Chicago. Kamari Lands added 12 points while Jamiya Neal had 10 points and seven rebounds.

A WINDMILL POSTER 😱

Jamiya Neal took off 🚀@TheSunDevils /// @jamiyaneal_ pic.twitter.com/E0GnTuCAYJ

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 11, 2023

Arizona State had an impressive 44 rebounds — 32 defensive and 12 offensive — but only shot 12-for-57 (36.8%) from the field. It didn’t get much better beyond the arc, shooting 6-for-18, or at the charity strike (15-for-28).

ASU has now won eight straight home openers under head coach Bobby Hurley.

PJ Henry led the way for Texas Southern with 12 points but shot 5-for-24 from the field and 2-for-12 from deep. He was the only Tiger in double-digits.

The curtain of distraction did its part for the Sun Devils, as the Tigers shot 3-for-7 from the free-throw line.

Good to have you back, @942Crew 👊

The Curtain of Distraction comes through 🙌

📺 @Pac12Network (Los Angeles)
📱 https://t.co/ahL1T8OgCx pic.twitter.com/SAG5gBduUZ

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 11, 2023