Paulis Murauskas just dropped a career-high 33 points, powering Arizona State to a massive 90-63 victory over Northern Colorado on Friday night. The Sun Devils are already looking like a force, kicking off their season 2-0, and Murauskas is leading the charge.
Murauskas Is UNSTOPPABLE
Seriously, this guy is on fire. Murauskas, a senior transfer from Saint Mary’s, poured in 33 points that had the defense scrambling all night. The 6-foot-8 forward from Lithuania wasn’t just scoring, he was doing it efficiently, going 13-for-18 from the floor and hitting 2-for-3 from deep. He was the only starter in double figures, which just highlights how much he carried the load. This wasn’t a fluke either, he’d already hit the 30-point mark twice before in his career.
Sun Devils’ Dominant Start and Coach Bennett’s Impending Milestone
It wasn’t just Murauskas lighting up the scoreboard, though. The Sun Devils showed serious depth and team play. Bryce Ford came off the bench and added a crucial 17 points, proving ASU has weapons beyond their star. Filip Malesevic was a beast on the glass, grabbing 11 rebounds in just 24 minutes off the bench, and Joel Foxwell dished out eight assists, orchestrating the offense with precision.
As a team, Arizona State was clicking, shooting a hot 54% from the floor and 32% from beyond the arc. They absolutely dominated in the paint, racking up 48 points, and won the rebound battle 40-32 against the Bears. They also forced 12 turnovers, showing that defense is going to be a key part of their identity. Northern Colorado had a few guys hit double digits, with Manning Shareef scoring 13, Hunter Caldwell adding 11, and Andrew Crawford and Vincent Delano each chipping in 10, but it wasn’t enough to contend with ASU’s firepower.
And let’s not forget about first-year coach Randy Bennett. He just arrived in Tempe after an incredible 25 seasons at Saint Mary’s, and he’s already making waves. He’s now just nine wins away from hitting a monumental 600 career victories. You know he’s eyeing that milestone, and with performances like this, it feels like it’s coming sooner rather than later.
What’s Next for the Sun Devils
Arizona State rolls into their next game with a perfect 2-0 record. They’ll host Hofstra on Tuesday, and you can bet they’re looking to keep this incredible momentum going. With Murauskas playing like this and Coach Bennett closing in on history, this ASU team is going to be one to watch. Can they continue this hot streak and give Coach Bennett that milestone win?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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