It seemed like doomsday. Trailing by six to an abysmal California squad at halftime, Arizona State flirted with a disaster that could’ve crushed its NCAA Tournament hopes.
Over the first 20 minutes, the Sun Devils couldn’t connect from anywhere. ASU shot a 25.9 percent clip from the field while making just above 20 percent of its 3-pointers.
Coach Bobby Hurley had some words for his team at the break.
“I said what needed to be said,” he said.
Immediately after Hurley’s halftime chat, things changed. The Sun Devils opened the second half on a 19-5 run, hitting their first eight shot attempts.