ASU blows hot start in heartbreak loss to Kansas State 71-70

The game was shaping out to be a powerful response after a disappointing loss at home against Arizona on Saturday. However, it quickly turned from cheers to jeers from the ASU fans, as Kansas State would explode from deep and go on a 35-9 run that gave it the lead and eventually the 71-70 win.

The blame might fall on the shoulders of freshman center Jayden Quaintance after he missed two free throws in the final seconds with the Sun Devils down 1. Regardless, ASU lost the game well before those free throws. The 17-year-old had an opportunity to salvage what would be classified as an ugly win, but like most of the game, the team couldn’t hit shots when it mattered.

After a hot start from beyond the arc, the Sun Devils became too reliant from 3, allowing the Wildcats to go on their 35-9 run. ASU went 9-31 from the 3-point-line after the initial 15-0 run.

Kansas State entered Tuesday riding a three-game winning streak, during that stretch it dominated the perimeter shooting above 50% from 3. The Wildcats started the game 0-4 from the perimeter but caught fire, finishing the game 10-22 thanks to the hot hands of junior guard Brendan Hausen and senior guard Max Jones, who combined for 27 points and 7-15 from 3-point land. In the second half, senior forward David N’Guessan got whatever his 6’9 frame wanted, dropping 13 points and finishing with a season-high 22.

ASU fell to a 13-point deficit but started to crawl its way back via senior guard Alston Mason. The Sooners transfer had his best night as a Sun Devil, dropping 20 points, including 14 second-half points.

The final minutes saw six lead changes as ASU used their dynamic guard play from Mason and Freeman to give the program a chance late. But it was not enough for the program as senior center Coleman Hawkins’ 3 would essentially be the dagger for the Sun Devils.
Regardless of Quaintance’s opportunity to save the game late, ASU’s hot start was enough cushion to secure the win and break the spunk. Yet, this game is marked as the Sun Devils’ seventh loss in the past nine games to fall to 12-10.