By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, March 5, 2015

TEMPE, Arizona – Following Arizona State’s 67-62 men’s basketball win over Stanford late Thursday – very late – at Wells Fargo Arena, Sun Devils Coach Herb Sendek found himself fielding yet more questions about the notorious Curtain of Distraction.

“I was asked to divulge the secret of the Curtain of Distraction this morning on the Today show,” Sendek said. “I did not give in to their pressure. I would not yield!

For those who haven’t heard, the Curtain of Distraction is a bizarre form of pantomime by ASU students designed to distract opposing free throw shooters that has drawn national attention. Stanford handled their antics – involving faux sharks, goats, etc. – as well as anyone, hitting 6 of 9 free throws in the second half.

“I’ve answered more questions about the Curtain than I have about (former Sun Devil) James Hardin,” Sendek added. “It’s just a mythical thing. Nothing more.”

Stanford (18-11 overall, 9-8 Pac-12) had other problems – most notably the early exit of starting forward Michael Humphrey, who left with an ankle injury four minutes into the first half.

“Michael’s been playing so well and we’re used to him having an impact on the game for us, whether it’s shot blocking, rebounding or being able to score inside,” Cardinal Coach Johnny Dawkins said. “It was a tough blow that came at an inopportune time for us.

“We’ll have to have the trainer take a look at him tonight and see where he is. Hopefully, it’s not a severe injury.”

Aside from the Curtain’s side show, the second half provided a brisker pace than the first 20 minutes. Trailing 37-23 at the break, Stanford methodically put together a 24-10 run to tie the game at 47-47, capped by an Anthony Brown 3-pointer with 10:

But the Cardinal were unable to surge ahead. Shaquielle McKissic responded with a three-point play to put ASU ahead to stay with 10:16 left. Though a tip-in by Stefan Nastic pulled Stanford to within 52-51 with 7:55 remaining, the Cardinal would get no closer, as Arizona State built and maintained leads of four to six points down the stretch.

The game was tied six times, with four lead changes. Arizona State (16-14 overall, 8-9 Pac-12) snapped a two-game losing streak while handing the Cardinal their second straight loss.

“This was a gut-check win,” Sendek said. “To bounce back from the last two losses we had the way we did it was something to be proud of.”

McKissick, a senior forward from Seattle, finished with a career-high 23 points – 9 of 15 from the floor, including two 3-pointers – to go with a team-high seven rebounds. Tra Holder added 15 points for the Sun Devils.

Many of McKissick’s points came from slashing, physical drives to the basket, including one in the first half that involved a blind layup as he was being fouled.

“I always encourage Shaq to drive to the hole,” Sendek said. “Whether we’re facing a man or zone defense, it doesn’t matter. Shaq is always best when he’s able to get into the paint.”

Nastic and Chasson Randle each had 16 points to lead Stanford. Randle was 4 of 13 from the floor overall, 4 of 10 behind the 3-point arc. Randle’s 3-point shooting helped the Cardinal stay in the game in the final 10 minutes.

Stanford outrebounded the Sun Devils 36-29. Reid Travis pulled down eight boards to lead the Cardinal with Nastic adding six.

Both teams struggled from the floor in the first half, with the game tied 8-8 after eight minutes. Part of Stanford’s problem was turnovers and a stingy sagging zone defense by ASU. The game was tied again at 11-11 and 13-13 before the Sun Devils forged an 8-2 run, capped by a Roosevelt Scott jumper.

Stanford came back with a 6-0 run to knot the game again at 23-23 on a pair of Nastic free throws with 3:23 left in the half. Arizona State responded with a 12-0 run to close the half, sparked by a Holder 3-pointer, a three-point play by McKissic, and a technical foul against Nastic that led to two Gerry Blakes free throws.

The Cardinal travel to Tucson for a Saturday afternoon game against Arizona on CBS. California visits ASU at 11:30 a.m. PST.

“It’s another tough team,” Dawkins said of U of A. “But there are terrific teams all across the Pac-12 Conference.”

On looking ahead to the Pac-12 Tournament, Dawkins said, “We’re just trying to get our rotations down, now that most everybody is back. We’ll try to reinsert Rosco Allen as we try to get our rhythm and continuity back.”

The announced crowd of 5,345 was a direct reflection of the 9 p.m. tipoff to accommodate Fox Sports 1.