HENDERSON, Nev. — In a competitive matchup at Lee’s Family Forum, Arizona State secured an 81-74 victory over Santa Clara during the initial game of a neutral-site doubleheader on Friday night.

BJ Freeman was a standout player for the Sun Devils, contributing 17 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with just 30 seconds remaining that boosted their lead to 78-71.

Adam Miller supported the team with 16 points, while freshman Jayden Quaintance added a notable performance with 12 rebounds, five points, and three assists for Arizona State, who improved to a record of 2-0 for the season.

For Santa Clara, Adama-Alpha Bal led the scoring with 17 points, hitting a vital corner 3-pointer that narrowed the gap to 68-67 with only 4:21 left in the game. Elijah Mahi also made significant contributions, scoring 14 points and dishing out five assists, helping the Broncos (1-1) stay competitive after trailing 36-34 at halftime.

In their prior game, the Sun Devils showcased a strong defensive performance, limiting Idaho State to just 25.4% shooting, marking the lowest shooting percentage allowed in the Bobby Hurley era. Moreover, the team’s defensive effort resulted in allowing only 48 points, tying the third lowest total in the history of the program.

The Broncos are under the direction of Herb Sendek, who previously coached at Arizona State. This game marked the first meeting between the two universities since 2004, with the Sun Devils holding a 6-2 advantage in their historical series.

Looking ahead, Arizona State is preparing for a matchup against the highly ranked No. 6 Gonzaga on Sunday.