Sun Devils romp despite Mayo's 37

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 2, 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State overcame a career-best 37-point performance by O.J. Mayo and took a big step toward an NCAA tournament bid with an 80-66 victory over USC on Saturday.

James Harden, like Mayo a freshman, had 24 points and Jeff Pendergraph 21 to lead the Sun Devils (18-10, 8-8 Pac-10), who haven't been to the tournament since 2003 and were 2-16 in the conference a year ago.

Arizona State dominated the game at the foul line, going 34-for- 39 to 10-for-11 for the Trojans (18-10, 9-7), who missed a chance to move ahead of Washington State into third place in the Pac-10 standings.

Harden made 7 of 8 field goals and was 9-for-10 at the foul line. Pendergraph was 9-for-11 at the line.

The Sun Devils free-throw deluge included four after technical fouls -- the first on USC coach Tim Floyd and the second on freshman Davon Jefferson.

Arizona State, which lost by 14 at USC earlier this season, took control with second-half runs of 10-0 and 16-0.

Mayo fell one point shy of the record for most points by a freshman in a Pac-10 game. Cliff Robinson of USC scored 39 against Cal in 1978. Don MacLean of UCLA holds the conference record for most points by a freshman in any game -- 41 against North Texas State in 1988.

Wooden has blood transfusions

LOS ANGELES -- John Wooden remained hospitalized in good condition Saturday, having undergone blood transfusions after the 97- year-old UCLA coaching great suffered two broken bones when he fell at home.

Wooden sustained a broken his left wrist and collarbone Thursday night. His wrist was in a cast Saturday and his arm will need to be in a sling when he leaves the hospital, his daughter said.

Wooden was in good spirits and doing well enough to be visited by numerous family members, including son Jim, daughter Nan Muehlhausen said in a statement.

"He had a good night, his vital signs are good and his spirits are good," she said. "He has been joking around with the family."

Wooden could be released Monday from the hospital, which the family has not identified. Muehlhausen has requested the public not attempt to call or visit Wooden.