Arizona State had a 15-point lead late with 16 minuets to go but couldn’t hang on, falling to the #21 UCLA Bruins at the Pac-12 Tourney here in Las Vegas, 80-75.
Center Jordan Bachynski led ASU with 22 points. Jahii Carson added Arizona State with 21 points and 7 assists.
With the loss, ASU is likely heading to the NIT Tournament finishing the regular season with a 21-12 record.
UCLA advances into the semi-finals and will meet the winner of the Colorado vs Arizona game.
ASU led 53-38 with 15:55 remaining in the game, but the lack of depth for the Sun Devils became an issue, while UCLA was able to get a big push from freshman sensation Shabazz Muhammad became a force on both ends finishing with 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Jordan Bachynski needed three blocks coming into the game to set the all-time single season blocked shots record. He had three in the game, 116 total on the season.
From the 15:55 mark, ASU proceeded to get outscored 45-22 for the remainder of the game.
Jon Gilling made 5 three-pointers, 11 total in the last two games against UCLA, but couldn’t make them down the stretch during the late UCLA run.
Carrick Felix struggled. Had just seven points on two of eight shooting.
Larry Drew II for UCLA had 20 points including four three-pointers (tied his career high) and only missed two shots in ten attempts.
Shabazz Muhammad had 12 of his 16 points in the second half.
Arizona State will find out their NIT schedule Sunday night after NCAA brackets are announced.
Jared Cohen contributed to this report.