The Arizona State Sun Devils (10-11), led by seniors Remy Martin, Alonzo Verge, and Kimani Lawrence on senior night, knocked off the Washington State Cougars (14-12) with a Martin buzzer-beater in overtime to notch their third consecutive victory.
After a Jalen Graham block to keep the score tied at 74, the Sun Devils had the ball and signaled for a timeout with 10.9 seconds remaining in the game. The Sun Devils put the ball in preseason All-American Remy Martin's hands, and he delivered with a three-pointer from deep beyond the arc with 0.4 seconds remaining to give the Sun Devils the 77-74 victory.
"I think senior day for us it was a fitting end for how that game ended and what Remy did is what he's been doing here for years, he's hit so many big shoots in his career at Arizona State," Bobby Hurley said. "His family traveled in and the school did really well with the videos, especially during a pandemic, to try and make this as good for the seniors as possible."
CONSECUTIVE 20-POINT PAC-12 GAMES (1996-97 TO PRESENT)
11, Ed Gray, California/Jan. 9, 1997-Feb. 15, 1997
9, Brandon Roy, Washington/Jan. 26, 2006-Feb. 26, 2006
8, Remy Martin, Arizona State/Jan. 30, 2021-Feb. 25, 2021
"They've all been a big part of turning Arizona State basketball around, it would've been three straight NCAA tournament appearances for Remy and Kimani, three straight 20-win seasons and in a year where we were struggling and faced a lot of obstacles, they were the guys that helped us win three in a row here so I'm really happy for those two, and for Alonzo as well. He really helped us last year and he had a really all-around game with nine assists and six rebounds so I'm proud of the whole effort from our group today."
The media didn't turn away from asking Hurley questions about Martin possibly returning for one more season.
"I'll certainly entertain that conversation but if you're asking me on the spot right now, he's had a hell of a career and he's a pro prospect and has to get out there and start making money and become a pro," Hurley said. "It's been a great ride with him, and he means so much to me and to Arizona State and he's done everything he can do with his four years here."
Martin led the way for the Sun Devils with 23 points, while Lawrence added 14 points and five rebounds and Verge added nine points and a career-high nine assists. Sophomores Jalen Graham and Jalen House also stepped up, as Graham finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds and House finished with 10 points and two steals.The Sun Devils continued to be without Marcus Bagley (ankle) and Josh Christopher (back) while John Olmsted also missed the game due to illness.
On top of sinking the final shot, Remy Martin tied Eddie House for the school record of eight consecutive games with 20 or more points.
All eyes will be on Martin and the Sun Devils on Monday as they have a rematch with the Cougars at Desert Financial Arena at 1 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.