Throughout the game, senior guard Maurice Odum had been the Sun Devils' most reliable scorer. But in the final few minutes, Odum slowed down, missing from beyond the arc, including a crucial attempt with 25 seconds left.
Texas missed its next two free throws, giving Arizona State one more chance. Odum spun to his right, pulled up for a straightaway three and hit it, giving the Sun Devils an 87-86 lead.
Texas had one more opportunity, but freshman center Massamba Diop came up with a steal with one second remaining and dribbled out the clock. As Arizona State players stormed the court and “ASU” chants filled the Lahaina Civic Center, the Sun Devils had their early season statement win.
Odum finished with 36 points, doing most of his damage from deep. He went 6 of 12 from three and made 16 of his 18 free throws.
Free throws played a major role throughout the night. The teams combined for 63 attempts and 49 fouls.
Odum led Arizona State in free-throw attempts with 18, and senior guard Anthony “Pig” Johnson went 7 of 10 at the line.
ASU spent most of the night playing from behind, leading for only 5:38. The game stayed close but generally tilted in the Longhorns’ favor, even with the narrow margin.
Two key scoring runs in the final minutes of each half helped Arizona State secure the win.
Late in the first half, ASU went on a 14-4 run highlighted by threes from Odum and junior forward Andrija Grbović. Odum also scored on a drive and converted three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt.
In the second half, Texas began to pull away, taking a 76-66 lead with just over seven minutes left. Odum responded by converting four straight free throws, then knocking down back-to-back threes — the second giving ASU a 79-78 lead to finish a 13-2 run.
Heading into the Southwest Maui Invitational, the Sun Devils were not viewed as a team expected to make noise. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Arizona State had the second-lowest odds to win the tournament, while Texas had the second-highest.
Although Arizona State advances only to the semifinals, the win is still a significant statement for a new-look roster under coach Bobby Hurley. With just two scholarship players returning from last season, questions lingered about how the Sun Devils would fare.
The jury is still out on ASU’s ceiling in the Big 12, but performances like this one — and even a competitive loss to Gonzaga earlier this month, which looks better after the Bulldogs defeated No. 8 Alabama on Monday — suggest Arizona State may not win the conference but could cause trouble.
ASU returns to action Tuesday in the semifinals — at a more forgiving hour for its fans — facing former Pac-12 foe Washington State at 6 p.m. MT. The Cougars beat Division II Chaminade 90-85 earlier Monday after trailing 30-13 in the first half.