ASU starts out tough non-conference stretch with a win against Creighton

Dec 2, 2015, 10:46 PM | Updated: Dec 3, 2015, 8:21 am

Arizona State's Savon Goodman (11) reacts after scoring against Creighton's Cole Huff, left, with Geoffrey Groselle (41) watching, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. Arizona State won 79-77. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

BY MARY KATE LAU

Arizona Sports

Tough opponents and close games are two things Bobby Hurley said he wanted for his inaugural Arizona State team — and he got both of those things Wednesday night.

“To win anything meaningful against really good teams, you’re going to be in close games so you have to know how to win in those situations,” Hurley said earlier in the day on the Doug and Wolf show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. I think it’s been helpful that we have been in that spot here early in the year and hopefully we continue to get better.”

In ASU’s eight games so far this year, six have been decided by nine points or less — five of those by five points points or less.

The Sun Devils beat the previously 5-1 Creighton Bluejays 79-77 on the road to start off a tough stretch Hurley and Sun Devils fans surely had circled.

NEXT UP:

ASU vs Texas A&M | Saturday, Dec. 5 | 8:30 p.m.
The Aggies are 7-1 with wins over Gonzaga and Texas.

ASU at Kentucky | Saturday, Dec. 12 | 1:15 p.m.
The No. 1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats are undefeated with a huge statement win at Duke under their belts.

ASU at UNLV | Wednesday, Dec. 16 | 8 p.m.
The rebels are 6-1 and averaging 84 points per game.

Creighton's Isaiah Zierden (21), Cole Huff (13) and Arizona State's Eric Jacobsen, center, reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Creighton's Toby Hegner, top, fouls Arizona State's Savon Goodman (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Arizona State's Obinna Oleka, left, is guarded by Creighton's Cole Huff (13), with Geoffrey Groselle (41) watching, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Arizona State's Tra Holder (0) drives past Creighton's Maurice Watson Jr. (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley yells instructions during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Creighton coach Greg McDermott signals a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Arizona State's Willie Atwood (2) is struck in the face by the foot of Creighton's Geoffrey Groselle (41), who was coming down from a dunk, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. Arizona State won 79-77. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Arizona State players, Austin Witherill, right, Obinna Oleka (5) and Kodi Justice, left, celebrate their 79-77 win over Creighton in an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Creighton's Maurice Watson Jr. (10) goes to the basket in front of Arizona State's Obinna Oleka (5), with Creighton's Geoffrey Groselle (41) and Arizona State's Willie Atwood (2) watching, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. Arizona State won 79-77. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Creighton's Maurice Watson Jr. (10) drives around Arizona State's Eric Jacobsen (21) and Gerry Blakes, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. Arizona State won 79-77. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

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