Pac-12 men: Arizona State holds off UCLA

Arizona State wanted to take advantage of UCLA inside, despite the Bruins’ length and athleticism in the paint.

The Sun Devils did just that, thanks in large part to broad-shouldered sophomore Savon Goodman.

Goodman hit all eight of his shots while scoring 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, helping Arizona State dominate inside for a 68-66 win over UCLA on Wednesday night in Tempe, Arizona.

“He’s really athletic, very quick and does a very good job of getting shots off,” UCLA coach Steve Alford said. “He’s been playing at a high level and he helped his average today.”

Arizona State rallied from an early 10-point deficit and made the big plays down the stretch to pick up a much-needed conference win.

The Sun Devils did it by overpowering the Bruins, grabbing 12 more rebounds against the Pac-12’s best team on the glass and outscoring them 36-22 in the paint.

Goodman led the way, muscling his way past UCLA’s defenders to score most of his points at the rim.

“It was an unbelievable feeling, but to win iced it,” Goodman said. “If we lose that game down the stretch, to score 20 points and finish 8 for 8 doesn’t mean that much.”

Despite their troubles stopping Goodman and some second-half foul trouble, the Bruins still had a shot at the end.

Arizona State led by six with 2 minutes left, but Norman Powell hit a pair of shots and Isaac Hamilton scored on a drive with 7.9 seconds left to pull UCLA within 67-66.

Tra Holder hit 1 of 2 free throws to give the Bruins a final shot, but Hamilton’s 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the back of the rim to send UCLA to a disappointing loss.Powell had 16 points, and Kevon Looney and Bryce Alford added 14 each for the Bruins.

Oregon 73, Colorado 60: Joseph Young scored 23 with six assists and Dwayne Benjamin came off the bench to post a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds as the Ducks dominated the first half en route to a victory over the Buffaloes at Eugene.

Dillon Brooks and Elgin Cook scored 14 and 13, respectively, for Oregon, which jumped out to a 39-22 lead at the half.

Askia Booker hit just 5 of 17 shots from the floor, but made 10 of 12 free throws to lead Colorado with 20 points.