Both the Arizona State and Nebraska men’s basketball teams had trouble this season closing out games. Something had to give when they squared off in first-round play at the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament.
Both also entered the tournament at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas riding five-game losing streaks, and ASU had lost 11 of its last 12. It was Nebraska changing its fortunes and rallying for an 86-78 win in the 16-team event.
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The contest featured six ties and 13 lead changes. ASU (13-20) led by as many as 11 early in the second half, while Nebraska (18-14) led by as many as 12 late in the second.
ASU led by eight points at the half and was up by 10 at 49-39, five minutes into the second half.
But the game followed a familiar pattern as the Sun Devils faltered in the last five minutes. This marked the 13th game in which ASU was in a position to win but failed to make enough plays in the final five minutes.
The game was tied at 61 with 5:10 to go before the Cornhuskers took a 63-61 lead when Connor Essegian hit a jumper.
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ASU then had a stretch of 2:49 in which it turned the ball over four times, which led to a 10-0 run, with a 3-pointer by Sam Hoiberg making it 71-61. The Sun Devils never threatened again. ASU finished with 16 turnovers, and Nebraska scored 24 off them.
ASU’s fortunes also took a hit when 7-footer Shawn Phillips fouled out. He was called for his fourth with 11:58 still left and ASU up 51-45. He went to the bench and returned with 6:22 to play and Nebraska was up 60-59. He was called for his fifth foul 20 seconds after reentering the game.
This proved critical because ASU was already playing without its dominant post presence in freshman Jayden Quaintance, who has been out with a right knee injury since Feb. 23.
Nebraska was also shorthanded with starting point guard Rollier Worster sidelined with an injury. That was reflected in the Cornhuskers’ 14 turnovers.
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ASU shot 46% (26-for-56). It was 6-for-20 from long distance despite making its first three attempts. Alston Mason scored a team-high 23 while Basheer Jihad tallied 21 with 15 in the first half. Adam Miller added 15.
Nebraska was led by Brice Williams with 30. It shot 31-for-61 from the field, with an 8-for-24 from deep.
Nebraska advances to face the winner of Washington State-Georgetown, the last of the four games on the first day.
In other Crown action, Boise State (25-11) defeated George Washington 89-59. Butler (15-19) edged Utah 86-84. The winners of those games play on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State falters down stretch in College Basketball Crown loss
