Jan. 4, 2001
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Chad Prewitt and Stanford's Jarron Collins battle for a rebound during the second half at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Everyone thought Arizona State was a long shot to upsetNo. 2 Stanford. It turned out to be no shot.
Casey Jacobsen had 17 of his 23 points in the first half, and Jarron Collinsfinished with 16 points and nine rebounds as No. 2 Stanford blew away ArizonaState early and cruised to a 94-77 victory Thursday night.
The Cardinal (12-0) scored inside almost at will, shooting 55.8 percent forthe game.
"We were just able to establish ourselves down low in the paint," Collinssaid. "My brother (Jason) and I got off to a good start. Their defensivestrategy was to overpower our wings and front the post. But (Arizona State's)Awvee Storey is 6-6, and playing in front of Jason, who's 7-foot. You just goover the top."
It was the 300th victory for coach Mike Montgomery (300-143) in 15 seasonsat Stanford, and the Cardinal's eighth consecutive win in a Pac-10 opener.
"I feel good about it only because it's tonight," Montgomery said. "I wasreal apprehensive, because we have not had great practices and we've had somepeople hurt. We watched tape, and Arizona State is very aggressive. Road winsin the Pac-10 I'll always value. I think they're really key."
The Cardinal matched last season's team for the third-best start in schoolhistory and won with ease as all five starters scored in double figures.
Jason Collins had 15 points, Michael McDonald 14 and Ryan Mendez 13.
Alton Mason scored 30 points to beat his career high by 12, while going6-for-9 from 3-point range - doubling his personal best for 3-pointers made.
Shawn Redhage added 14 points for the Sun Devils (8-4).
"We didn't really bring it tonight," Redhage said. "We didn't get it donedefensively. We have to get after it tomorrow and pick up our defense. It allstarts with defense - that's what this team is predicated on."
Redhage had seven rebounds and Chad Prewitt six, allowing the Sun Devils tobecome the first team this season to outrebound the Cardinal, 36-34.
But that didn't mollify coach Rob Evans.
"I don't feel like you have to play a near-perfect game to beat abasketball team at home, but I do feel you have to compete, battle on theglass, defend well and take care of the basketball, and we didn't," Evanssaid.
The game was delayed about 25 minutes by a power outage in Arizona State'sWells Fargo Arena.
But the Cardinal were ready for the tipoff. Jason Collins had a three-pointplay 13 minutes in, and Stanford took its first 20-point lead at 49-29 on twofree throws by Jarron Collins with 1:40 left in the first half.
Prewitt had eight of his 10 points in a 3:12 span of the second half, butthe closest the Sun Devils got was when Mason made a layup with 2:04 to play,trimming the deficit to 85-70.
The game reflected Stanford's dominance in the series lately. The Cardinaltook a 25-24 lead overall, but have won the last six games and 10 of the last11.
By MEL REISNER
AP Sports Writer