Nov. 30, 2002

Box Score

By MEL REISNER
AP Sports Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Ike Diogu scored 27 points in the biggest game by an Arizona State freshman in nearly 11 years as the Sun Devils defeated Lafayette 85-62 Saturday.

Digou, who has improved his scoring in every game since his 10-point college debut, had 14 points in the first half, when the Sun Devils (4-1) opened a 31-point lead.

He shot 9-for-14 from the floor while tying Jamal Faulkner and Byron Scott for the fourth-best freshman game. It was the most points by a Sun Devils freshman since Mario Bennett set the school record with 35 points against Arizona on Feb. 20, 1992.

Tommy Smith scored 12 points - 10 in the first half - and Curtis Millage had 10.

Winston Davis had 14 points and Andrew Pleick 12 for the Leopards (0-3).

With both coaches exhorting their players to focus, Davis had a 3-pointer and a three-point play as Lafayette rallied from a 48-17 halftime deficit with a 26-14 run in the first 10:25 of the second half.

But Diogu made two layups and two free throws in the next 2:12, and came out for good after completing a three-point play that sent Arizona State to a 73-47 lead with 5:48 remaining.

Smith dunked three times while the Sun Devils ran to a 26-6 lead in the first 10:07, and Diogu made it 35-11 on a three-point play with 6:19 left in the first half.

Diogu, who was fouled while putting back his second offensive rebound of the series, made two more baskets and had an assist on one by Shawn Redhage in the next 1:57.

At that point, the Sun Devils led 41-13 with 4:22 to play.