via a Creighton Athletics press release
Tra Holder's steal and lay-up with 13.8 seconds left lifted visiting Arizona State to a 79-77 win at Creighton on Wednesday night before 16,282 fans at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Holder's basket, which was counted after a goaltending call, came as part of a frantic final two minutes that saw both teams hit clutch shots.
Both teams are 5-2 after the game, as ASU topped the Bluejays for the first time since 1974 to stop a two-game losing streak against Creighton.
Creighton trailed by one before Toby Hegner beat the shot clock with a three-pointer from the right corner to give CU a one-point lead with 1:16 left. After both teams had scoreless possessions, ASU's Savon Goodman would be fouled with 18.9 seconds left. He made the first but missed the second foul shot, as Isaiah Zierden grabbed the rebound. But Holder would knock the ball out of Zierden's hands and get up a shot, which would be counted after a goaltend call to give the Sun Devils a one-point lead.
Following Creighton's final timeout, and an inbounds pass that was knocked away, Ronnie Harrell Jr. fed Cole Huff on the right wing. Huff was fouled with 6.3 seconds left. The career 80.1 percent free throw shooter at the collegiate level missed both and ASU grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 5.6 seconds to go.
ASU's Willie Atwood split two free throws to give the Sun Devils a two-point lead as CU raced upcourt for one last chance. Huff would find himself with a game-winning attempt from three-point range, but it deflected off the front rim as ASU handed Creighton a rare home loss.
Geoffrey Groselle led Creighton with 15 points and nine rebounds to top a balanced effort that saw five Bluejays score in double-figures. Isaiah Zierden had 14 points and a career-high five steals, while Hegner finished with 12 points. Both Huff and Maurice Watson Jr. had 10 points, as well. Watson dished nine assists while leading a Bluejay attack that shot 50.8 percent from the floor and 45.8 percent from downtown.
Goodman's 23 points were one shy of his career-best for ASU, which shot 64.3 percent in the second half as a team. Atwood added a career-best 14 points while Eric Jacobsen hauled down a team-best 10 rebounds. The Sun Devils won the board battle 34-29 and shot 51.7 percent for the game and 41.percent from deep. ASU also dished 21 assists on 31 field goals.
Creighton returns to action on Saturday with a 1 pm game at Loyola (Chicago).
