Feb. 2, 2012
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STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - Aaron Bright scored 16 points and Chasson Randle added 14 as Stanford routed Arizona State 68-44 on Thursday night.
Anthony Brown added 11 points for the Cardinal (16-6, 6-4), which improved to 12-1 at Maples Pavilion this season and snapped a three-game losing streak.
The Sun Devils (7-15, 3-7 Pac-12) had just four assists - tying ASU's lowest mark in Herb Sendek's six years as coach - and shot only 34 percent from the floor. From the 9:52 mark of the first half to the 12:51 mark of the second half, Arizona State went 1 for 17 with 10 turnovers.
Stanford shot 45.0 percent and held a commanding 38-24 rebounding edge. The Cardinal pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Sun Devils 40-24 over the final 20 minutes.
Arizona State played its fifth straight game without leading scorer Trent Lockett, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Jordan Bachynski led the Sun Devils with a career-high 20 points.
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STANFORD QUOTES
Stanford Head Coach Johnny Dawkins
On the team defensive effort, allowing only 44 points...
"I was really proud of our guys defensively. It was something we emphasized. After getting back from the road, we had to get back to defending the way we know we're capable of. Our kids really just did a great job. They moved very well. In anything that we were doing, they were very active. They were in their stances. I'm just really proud of the effort."
On Stanford's first-half shooting troubles...
"I thought we had good looks at the basket. Unfortunately, our guys hadn't seen the ball go in the last couple of games. They had been getting good looks the last few games that we played. They just weren't going in for us on the road, so it was good to get back home. I was pleased with the shots we were getting. I just had confidence that they would end up making them. We spent all week talking about that, the belief we have in our players, and the belief that they have in themselves. They stepped up, and made the plays that they had to, especially as the game progressed."
On the second-half start...
"It's always important to get off to a good start in the second half. I thought Aaron (Bright) really did give us a spark there. I thought Anthony Brown gave us a spark in the first half off the bench in the same way. You need players doing that. Fortunately tonight, we had those kids step up and make plays, and they really helped us win."
Stanford Sophomore Aaron Bright
On the tentativeness in the first half...
"We were just a little eager to come out and get a win. Us losing three straight, we really wanted to get this one. I think that might have played into it a little bit, not shooting the ball as well early. We started to settle down a little more, and the shots started to fall in the second half."
On the importance of this game, returning home to snap a three-game slide...
"It was crucial. We just lost three straight. We have to protect home court. Arizona State's a tough team. They are a dangerous team. We didn't want to give them any life to where they thought they could come back and make it a close game down the stretch. It was a big win for us."
Stanford Sophomore Anthony Brown
On his shooting performance...
"I hadn't been shooting well lately. I just wanted to come out and shoot well tonight. Playing at home, you usually shoot better. I just got into a rhythm, and my teammates passed me the ball. Confidence, aggressiveness, and just keep shooting, those three things (were the biggest factors)."
On the team defensive effort tonight...
"We concentrated on our defense. A big thing for us is when our defense is clicking, our offense is clicking as well. We usually shoot well. We wanted to get back to the basics and just defend and rebound."
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ARIZONA STATE QUOTES
Arizona State Head Coach Herb Sendek:
General thoughts on the game...
"Defense, turnovers, lack of any constitution to stay with our offense cost us. In general, after about the first seven or eight minutes of the game, we played very poorly ... We only had four assists in the game. First of all, it's hard to get assists unless you make the shot. Shooting 27 percent (in the first half) you're not going to get very many assists. But our ball movement wasn't nearly as good tonight as it has been. "
On the play of Jordan Bachynski...
"The one encouraging note, obviously, was Jordan Bachynski, who continues to come on. I'd say that this was his fourth consecutive breakthrough-type game for us. He was a lot more aggressive, has an edge of determination, and that's really a bright spot for us. Clearly tonight the difference was that he made his free throws. Tonight he was 10 for 12, and that gets him halfway to his 20 points."