Frankie Collins scores game-winner with two seconds left to lead ASU past UMass-Lowell
The Arizona State Sun Devils used a tenacious defense to spark a second half surge and turned back UMass-Lowell 71-69 Thursday night at Desert Financial Arena.
ASU (2-1) wiped out an 11-point deficit in the last 2:16, with the decisive bucket coming on a driving layup by junior point guard Frankie Collins with two seconds left. The visitors had one last chance to get a desperation shot off but couldn't do so with Collins poking the ball away from the River Hawks' Quinton Mincey as time expired.
ASU shot 41.3% (26-for-63) for the game. It was a respectable 18-for-33 in the second half but made only 8-of-30 tries in a first half that ended with the River Hawks (3-1) ahead 31-22. UMass finished with a 40-32 advantage on the boards and a 38-34 edge in points in the paint.
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ASU forced 21 turnovers and scored 27 off those which fueled the stretch run.
Lowell, which was coming off a win over Georgia Tech on Tuesday, led by a many as 12 points in the first half at 22-10 and by 12 in the second half at 51-39 with 11:10 left.
Turning points
A fast-break layup by Jamiya Neal cut the deficit to 67-64 with 1:18 to play and he connected on a free throw moments later to cut the visitors' lead to two points.
Alonzo Gaffney dove for a loose ball and forced yet another River Hawks turnover, with Gaffney flipping the ball to Collins who raced in for a layup that tied the game 67.
At the other end, UMass missed a shot and got the rebound, only to turn the ball over. ASU's Jose Perez then connected on a short jumper with 13 seconds left that put the home team up 69-67 for its first lead since 3-0.
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UMass got its first points in nearly two minutes with Yuti Covington making two free throws to even it again, this time at 69 with 9.2 second left, setting the stage for Collins' game-winner. ASU took possession after the free throws with ASU coach Bobby Hurley not calling a time out.
"I like those scenarios," he said. "I wouldn't call it a broken play but you don't give your opponent a chance to get set. We got Frankie downhill. We wanted to set a ball screen somewhere near half court. Bryant (Selebangue) set a good screen, just kind of turned him loose and we wanted to attack the basket."
Top performers
Perez led all players with 20 points, which came on a 7-for-9 effort from the field.
Four other players were also in double figures with Neal tallying 12. Collins managed 11 with eight steals, five rebounds and three assists. Gaffney and Kamari Lands chipped in with 10 points each -- Gaffney adding seven rebounds, four steals and a block.
The River Hawks were led by senior forward Abdoul Karim Coulibaly with 19 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Ayinde Hikim was next with 17 points and eight assists. Covington added 14 points and seven rebounds.
They said it
"Overall it was effective in the second half when we went to it. We really had no choice again because of just how inefficient we were in all phases early. We felt like we needed a spark. It paid off. I think sometimes when, as many games as they've won over the last year plus, the team gets some game pressure on, one turnover could snowball and someone else has it and they're a little unsure. We do have good length and athleticism so it paid off in that situation." - ASU coach Bobby Hurley on the press creating turnovers in the stretch run
"We have a really good press. Our defense is still pretty good and when we come out with that type of desperation we're going to generate stops." - Alonzo Gaffney on the team's defense
"I haven't played in two years. I know people really haven't seen my game but I feel like I want to get touches, not just to score but to get other people involved and once I make a play I can get going. I was 1-for-10 the last two games, shooting 10% but it is what it is. I'm here now and I feel like this is a good step in the right direction." - Jose Perez
Up next
ASU will play two games in the Las Vegas showdown, the first coming on Nov. 23 against Brigham Young (3-0), a future Big-12 opponent.
The next home game will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 against Sam Houston State, out of Conference USA.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Frankie Collins scores game-winner to lead ASU past UMass-Lowell
