BYU basket overturned, No. 20 Sun Devils survive
By BOB BAUM
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) —
Referees overturned a basket by BYU's Charles Abouo at the buzzer Saturday, preserving No. 20 Arizona State's 76-75 come-from-behind victory over the previously unbeaten Cougars.
James Harden made the last of his 21 free throw attempts with nine seconds left to give Arizona State (9-1) its first lead of the second half. Harden scored 21 of his 30 points after halftime, and finished 16-of-21 at the line.
Jonathan Tavernari scored 24 for BYU (10-1). Jeff Pendergraph had 22 points and nine rebounds for the victorious Sun Devils.
The game was the second half of a doubleheader at University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and site of the NCAA West Regional next March. Minnesota beat No. 9 Louisville 70-64 in the opener.
After Harden — who also had five steals — made one of two free throws, Jamelle McMillan blocked a layup by BYU's Jimmer Fredette.
On the subsequent out of bounds play, Lee Cummard's shot under extreme pressure fell far short, but Obouo grabbed the ball and made one-handed, over-his-head basket as the buzzer sounded. One referee initially called the basket good, but officials waved it off after reviewing video replays as the BYU coaches and fans screamed in outrage.
They were already upset that Harden had gone to the foul line more often than the entire BYU team, which had 19 attempts.
Fredette added 16 points and Cummard 13 for the Cougars, whose 10-0 start was their best in 21 years. McMillan scored 10 for Arizona State.
BYU led by as many as 10 points in the second half and was up 70-62 with 7:16 to play.
The Sun Devils outscored the Cougars 14-5 after that.
Ty Abbott, 1-for-9 from the field and 1-for-6 on 3s up to that time, sank a 3 from the corner to tie at 73-73 with 2:05 to play.
Fredette scored inside to put BYU back on top 75-73 with 1:31 remaining, then Rihards Kiksiks made a driving shot to tie it again 75-75, 58 seconds from the finish.
Travernari missed a short jumper and the Sun Devils scrambled to save the ball inbounds. The Sun Devils got the ball to Harden, who was fouled by Abouo.
Cummard, the Cougars' leading scorer on the season, drew his second foul 7 1/2 minutes into the game and had only four points at the half.
Harden scored his team's first nine points of the second half. His three-point play cut the lead to 58-54 with 12:41 remaining. But Harden twice missed the first half of a one-and-one free throw opportunity and BYU used an 8-2 surge to go ahead 66-56 when Tavernari made his third 3-pointer of the afternoon with 9 1/2 minutes to play.
By BOB BAUM
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) —
Referees overturned a basket by BYU's Charles Abouo at the buzzer Saturday, preserving No. 20 Arizona State's 76-75 come-from-behind victory over the previously unbeaten Cougars.
James Harden made the last of his 21 free throw attempts with nine seconds left to give Arizona State (9-1) its first lead of the second half. Harden scored 21 of his 30 points after halftime, and finished 16-of-21 at the line.
Jonathan Tavernari scored 24 for BYU (10-1). Jeff Pendergraph had 22 points and nine rebounds for the victorious Sun Devils.
The game was the second half of a doubleheader at University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and site of the NCAA West Regional next March. Minnesota beat No. 9 Louisville 70-64 in the opener.
After Harden — who also had five steals — made one of two free throws, Jamelle McMillan blocked a layup by BYU's Jimmer Fredette.
On the subsequent out of bounds play, Lee Cummard's shot under extreme pressure fell far short, but Obouo grabbed the ball and made one-handed, over-his-head basket as the buzzer sounded. One referee initially called the basket good, but officials waved it off after reviewing video replays as the BYU coaches and fans screamed in outrage.
They were already upset that Harden had gone to the foul line more often than the entire BYU team, which had 19 attempts.
Fredette added 16 points and Cummard 13 for the Cougars, whose 10-0 start was their best in 21 years. McMillan scored 10 for Arizona State.
BYU led by as many as 10 points in the second half and was up 70-62 with 7:16 to play.
The Sun Devils outscored the Cougars 14-5 after that.
Ty Abbott, 1-for-9 from the field and 1-for-6 on 3s up to that time, sank a 3 from the corner to tie at 73-73 with 2:05 to play.
Fredette scored inside to put BYU back on top 75-73 with 1:31 remaining, then Rihards Kiksiks made a driving shot to tie it again 75-75, 58 seconds from the finish.
Travernari missed a short jumper and the Sun Devils scrambled to save the ball inbounds. The Sun Devils got the ball to Harden, who was fouled by Abouo.
Cummard, the Cougars' leading scorer on the season, drew his second foul 7 1/2 minutes into the game and had only four points at the half.
Harden scored his team's first nine points of the second half. His three-point play cut the lead to 58-54 with 12:41 remaining. But Harden twice missed the first half of a one-and-one free throw opportunity and BYU used an 8-2 surge to go ahead 66-56 when Tavernari made his third 3-pointer of the afternoon with 9 1/2 minutes to play.
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