SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — In a strong performance on Saturday, Arizona State took charge in the second half to triumph over UMass with a score of 78-62. Basheer Jihad led the Sun Devils with 20 points, while Jayden Quaintance closely followed with 19 points.

The game also featured contributions from Alston Mason and BJ Freeman, who scored 13 and 11 points respectively, helping Arizona State maintain a solid record of 9-2. This victory marked the seventh win in their last eight games, showcasing their growing momentum.

For UMass, Rahsool Diggins emerged as the standout player, scoring 24 points but ultimately saw his team’s two-game winning streak come to an end. A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Jihad drained a three-pointer with 11:46 remaining, lifting the Sun Devils to a 47-46 lead. This shot sparked an impressive 11-0 run, securing Arizona State’s advantage. Freeman extended the lead further with a three-pointer of his own with just over eight minutes left, marking the first time the Sun Devils held a double-digit lead in the match.

Despite efforts from UMass to make a comeback, which included Jayden Ndjigue converting two free throws that brought them within six points at 62-56, the Minutemen struggled to narrow the gap further. They had initially led 33-31 at halftime but couldn’t sustain that momentum in the second half.

Next up for UMass (5-8) is a clash with Saint Joseph’s on New Year’s Eve, marking the beginning of their Atlantic 10 Conference play. Meanwhile, Arizona State will face BYU the same day, as they kick off their Big 12 Conference schedule.