Arizona Dominates ASU in Second Half of Rivalry Game

Sun Devils fade late as Wildcats pull away for 87-74 victory

Jan. 31, 2026 at 6:31pm

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In a highly anticipated matchup between Arizona and Arizona State, the Sun Devils kept the game close in the first half but were unable to maintain their intensity in the second half. The Wildcats pulled away with a dominant performance, outscoring ASU 49-34 in the final 20 minutes to secure an 87-74 victory in the Duel in the Desert rivalry game.

Why it matters

This game continues a long-standing trend in the Arizona-Arizona State basketball rivalry, with the Wildcats maintaining their dominance over the Sun Devils on the hardwood. Despite ASU's early efforts, they were unable to sustain their play, highlighting the challenges they have faced in recent years against their in-state rival.

The details

ASU led by one at halftime, but the game turned when senior guard Moe Odum picked up his fourth foul early in the second half. Without their floor leader, the Sun Devils struggled to match Arizona's relentless attack on the interior, as the Wildcats scored 50 points in the paint and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. Arizona shot 60% from the field in the second half, pulling away for the comfortable victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Moe Odum

A senior guard for Arizona State who was limited to just three points in the second half after picking up his fourth foul early in the period.

Koa Peat

A freshman phenom for Arizona who scored 21 points, including 15 in the second-half surge that propelled the Wildcats to victory.

Bobby Hurley

The head coach of Arizona State, who has struggled to find consistent success against Arizona during his tenure.

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What they’re saying

“There were too many red shirts in the arena. It was not a home game. It was like a crowd, 50-50, 60-40, either way. When they got it going, it was loud. We had a little spurt that got loud.”

— Bobby Hurley, Head Coach, Arizona State

“In the first half, we matched up with them, physicality. When the second half comes, our intensity goes down. Energy goes down. That's just been a problem for a while now.”

— Moe Odum, Senior Guard, Arizona State

What’s next

The Sun Devils will look to rebound from this rivalry loss as they continue their Big 12 conference schedule, while the Wildcats will aim to maintain their undefeated season and No. 1 ranking.

The takeaway

This game highlights the ongoing struggles for Arizona State in the long-running Duel in the Desert rivalry, as the Sun Devils have been unable to consistently match the intensity and physicality of the Wildcats, especially in the second half. Despite their early efforts, ASU's inability to sustain their play has become a recurring theme in this matchup.