Sun Devils Fall to West Virginia Amidst Shooting Struggles and Turnovers
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Arizona State suffered a 75-63 defeat at the hands of West Virginia on Wednesday, a game marred by inefficient shooting, costly turnovers, and a lack of consistent offensive support. The loss highlights ongoing challenges for the Sun Devils as they navigate a difficult stretch of their season.
The team’s offensive woes were particularly evident in the second half, where they failed to convert from beyond the arc. Arizona State made just 38.5 percent of their third-quarter shots and missed all five three-point attempts after halftime. This inability to stretch the floor proved critical in allowing West Virginia to maintain control.
Ford’s Struggles Continue Post-Injury
Bryce Ford endured another difficult outing, shooting just 1-for-7 from the field and 0-for-4 from three-point range. His shooting slump, which began following an injury, is demonstrably impacting the team’s spacing and overall scoring potential. According to observers, his misfortunes are contributing to broader offensive issues.
Odum’s Leadership Overshadowed by Turnovers
Despite a strong individual performance from Moe Odum, who contributed 17 points and eight assists, the Sun Devils were plagued by turnovers. Odum, the team’s primary ball-handler, was forced to navigate a challenging second half that saw Arizona State commit a total of 13 turnovers. These errors allowed West Virginia to dictate the pace and maintain their advantage.
“The second half was expensive,” one analyst noted, emphasizing the impact of the turnovers on the game’s outcome. Anthony Johnson provided a spark with a late three-point play, but the supporting cast struggled to provide consistent offensive support.
Mountaineers Dominate the Frontcourt
While Massamba Diop delivered a solid performance with 14 points and five rebounds, the Arizona State frontcourt struggled to contain West Virginia’s offensive attack. The Mountaineers’ Treysen Eaglestaff led all scorers with 23 points, capitalizing on a defensive performance that allowed West Virginia to shoot 51 percent from the field.
The Sun Devils will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and improve their shooting efficiency to rebound from this defeat.
