Box Score Box Score (PDF)

TEMPE, Ariz. – Cornell's Shonn Miller had 13 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, but the Big Red couldn't overcome 23 turnovers and 35 percent shooting in dropping a 64-53 decision at unbeaten Arizona State on Tuesday evening at Wells Fargo Arena. The Big Red slipped to 1-4, while the Sun Devils improved to 3-0.
 
Miller hit 4-of-6 shots from the floor and added three steals in the loss. He grabbed all of his rebounds on the defensive end, helping Cornell to a 40-36 edge on the glass against its Pac-12 foe. The Big Red's defense continued to play at a high level, allowing just 35 percent shooting and 30 percent from 3-point range. Josh Figini had 12 points and both Devin Cherry and Eitan Chemerinski added seven. Nolan Cressler had six points and six rebounds in the loss.
 
Heralded sophomore Jahii Carson had 21 points for the Sun Devils, while 7-2 big man Jordan Bachynski nearly had a triple-double with eight points, 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Carrick Felix was also in double figures with 10 points. ASU had 14 steals and 11 blocks as a team.

Cornell led 25-22 at the half after a ferocious defensive effort in the first 20 minutes, overcoming 13 turnovers by limiting the Sun Devils to 28 percent shooting. But, in the second half, the Big Red couldn't overcome the miscues.

The home team's decisive run came to start the second half, a 7-0 spurt that covered the first 2:48 and flipped a three-point lead for the Big Red into a four-point Sun Devil advantage. The Big Red had three turnovers and a layup blocked during the run. Cornell settled down and got back within one twice, even briefly evening the score at 38-38 with just over 10 minutes to play. Arizona State answered with a backbreaking 13-4 run that ended the Big Red's chances at the upset. This time, Cornell's missed opportunities came on missed field goals, several good looks, and three Sun Devil 3-pointers in a five-minute span.

Arizona State extended the lead with late free throws in a contest that was a one possession game either way for three quarters of the contest.

In all, the halftime spurt actually was 10-0, as Arizona State went into the break with momentum after Cornell turned the ball over with five seconds left in the half on an offensive foul on Miller and the Big Red up six, its biggest lead of the game. Carson came down the floor on his own, pulled up from 22 feet and drained a trey, ASU's third of the half on 18 tries. It cut Cornell's lead in half and changed the feel of a game the Big Red seemingly was in control of.

The Big Red defended Arizona State well all night, continuing what has become more than a trend. Figini got the Big Red going, stealing a pass on the first possession, then nailed a 3-pointer to give Cornel la lead. Two minutes later the senior hit another jumped. Arizona State responded by going up four twice, but each time the Big Red responded. The first time, Peck showed his athleticism by driving right down the lane and throwing down a highlight-reel dunk. The second time, Cherry got in rhythm and nailed a jumper.

Five ties and three lead changes later, Cornell seemingly grabbed control. Down one with four minutes remaining, the Big Red started a 7-0 run. First, Cherry drove the lane and was fouled, where he hit both shots. Then Miller hit a pull-through jumper. After forcing a miss on the other end, Figini buried a 3-pointer and all of a sudden the Big Red was up 25-19 with less than a minute left. Cornell earned another defensive stop and rebounded with 27 seconds left, but a late turnover allowed the Sun Devils the last shot, and Carson did his part to half the advantage going into the break.

Cornell will look to snap its four-game losing skid when it meets Presbyterian in the consolation round of the 2012 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational on Friday, Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m. at Orleans Arena.