The top freshmen played a big role in ASU men’s basketball’s 85-82 victory over New Mexico in the Acrisure Classic on Thanksgiving, but the team’s veterans were late to the deal.

Veteran transfers Basheer Jihad (20 points) and BJ Freeman (16 points) hit back-to-back 3s and came up monumental for the Sun Devils, who had their backs against the wall in Palm Springs.

The third in ASU’s trio of starting transfers, Alston Mason (11 points, five assists), knocked down four key free throws to put the game on ice shortly thereafter.

After controlling much of the first half, it took a collective effort from ASU (6-1) to fight back against the Lobos’ (5-2) nine-point lead with ten minutes remaining. .

“We showed a lot of resilience, especially for a team that is a new group of guys. They really showed a lot of perseverance,” coach Bobby Hurley told truTV sideline reporter Nkwa Asonye afterwards. “(New Mexico is) a very hard-playing team and a physical team, so I thought we stepped up and definitely made our free throws. That was crucial for us in the second half.”

Quaintance did his part to energize the ASU side with highlights that included a block (up to 25 per year to lead the Power Conference Shot Blockers) and two dunks, one off a dump-off from Mason and another that went in transition came on the defender’s head.

probably the best offensive highlight of Jayden’s college career so far: pic.twitter.com/HoCSfecrtV

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) November 29, 2024

It had a big enough impact as the ASU defense held on to hold New Mexico to 1-for-11 shooting with two goals in a span of seven minutes. However, the Lobos knocked down 12 free throws to stay even with the Sun Devils and remain tied with 3:10 left.

How did ASU lose control after a strong start vs. New Mexico?

The Sun Devils played a dominant first fifteen minutes to take a 33-21 lead, with Quaintance (four points, eight rebounds, three blocks) and Joson Sanon (19 points, three assists) being the biggest catalysts.

Quaintance knocked off two blocks in the first two minutes of the game to set a defensive tone before Sanon came in and dominated the segment, scoring or assisting on 18 points for ASU.

Sanon’s game is maturing early in his college career, showing quick recognition for defensive looks on the catch and quick reaction when the shot isn’t there for him.

His play was one of the biggest question marks in his game upon arrival, but he looked cool, calm and collected as the Lobos blew him around the screens and easily made the right play instead.

ASU hadn’t turned it over at that point, but it had three turnovers during a 16-1 run by New Mexico to end the half with a 37-34 lead. Mustapha Amzil scored 10 of 16 in New Mexico. He finished with 28, just behind a game-high 30 from Donovan Dent.

As the Lobos extended the run to start the second half, Bobby Hurley called time to calm the Sun Devils down.

With the win, ASU has now scored at least 80 points in six straight games.

ASU next gets St. Mary’s, which is coming off a 71-36 loss to USC in its first Acrisure Classic matchup. That game tips off at 7:30 PM MST on truTV, or you can listen on 98.7 FM and the Arizona Sports app.