ASU’s Desmond Cambridge drills half-court buzzer-beater in 1st half vs. UCLA

Arizona State basketball guard Desmond Cambridge Jr. nailed a buzzer-beater from beyond half court in the first half against No. 5 UCLA Thursday to send a packed Desert Financial Arena into a frenzy.

The prayer — which hit nothing but net — gave ASU a 35-30 lead at the break in a contest for the top spot in the Pac-12 standings.

THAT’S HOW YOU FINISH A HALF! 😱

📺 FS1
📱https://t.co/yJJLoQVXQM #Pac12MBB | @SunDevilHoops pic.twitter.com/xwngBqpdNK

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) January 20, 2023

To follow himself up, Cambridge Jr. threw down a 360 dunk in transition after the break. He heated up after hitting the shot, as he went 4-for-4 to start the second half with a fadeaway baseline jumper.

360 DUNK❗️@dezcambridgejr pulling out all the tricks!

📱 https://t.co/Z6O5tJhPEw pic.twitter.com/iUvdB4D8zx

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) January 20, 2023

The first half was chaotic with a slow offensive start, nine lead changes and seven ties. Cambridge Jr. — ASU’s leading scorer this season — struggled to get going early and was 1-for-5 before drilling the deep 3.

But scoring came alive in the final minutes, as the Sun Devils put together 15 points over the final 4:31.

DJ Horne led ASU at the break with 14 points.

For much of the half, big defensive plays proved to be highlights, including two monstrous blocks.

Devan Cambridge swatted an Adem Bona layup off the glass to open a transition opportunity, and Enoch Boakye blocked UCLA guard Tyger Campbell’s shot into the tunnel behind the basket.

Sent into the first row 👏@EnochBoakye11 making an impact!

📱 https://t.co/Z6O5tJhPEw pic.twitter.com/24UPp8k6Eg

— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) January 20, 2023

ASU looked to defeat UCLA in Tempe for a second straight season but fell 74-62.

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