Gilling, Marshall Lead Sun Devils Past Cal 78-60
TEMPE, Ariz. (CBS/AP) -- Jermaine Marshall scored 22 points, Jonathan Gilling matched his season-high with 15 and Arizona State pulled away in the second half to roll past California 78-60 Saturday in the Sun Devils' final home game of the season.
It probably was the final game at Arizona State for Sun Devils' sophomore star playmaker Jahii Carson, who many expect to make himself available for the NBA draft after this season. Carson had nine points and four assists.
Asked afterward if this was his last college home game, Carson said, "Yeah, for the most part."
The Sun Devils (21-8, 10-6) moved into sole possession of third place in the Pac-12, a half-game ahead of Stanford, which plays at No. 3 Arizona on Sunday.
Justin Cobbs scored 15, Jordan Mathews 14 and David Kravish 12 for Cal (18-11, 9-7) at the end of a rough trip to the desert.
The Bears were blown out at No. 3 Arizona Wednesday night 87-59 and have lost three of four overall.
The Sun Devils finished 8-1 at home in Pac-10/Pac-12 play for just the third time in 36 seasons. They last did it in 1980-81 with a team that featured Byron Scott, Alton Lister and Fat Lever. Arizona State won eight straight Pac-12 home games after losing its opener to Washington. The Sun Devils finished 16-1 at home overall.
Arizona State trailed through much of the first half but never by more than six points.
After Cobs' 3-pointer put the Bears ahead 22-18, the Sun Devils outscored Cal 11-2 the final 5:39 of the half.
Carson hit a 16-footer with 2:29 to go, then Gilling capped the run with a 3-pointer from the corner, on a pass from Shaquiele McKissic, to put Arizona State up 29-24 at the break.
Cobb made two free throws to start the second half and cut the lead to 29-26, but Cal got no closer. Jordan Bachynski and Gilling scored four apiece and Carson made a lightning driving layup in a 10-0 spurt that gave Arizona State a 44-30 lead with 14:47 to play.
The lead reached 59-43 after McKissic's thunderous baseline dunk for a three-point play, followed by Gilling's fastbreak layup off a turnover with 10:02 to play. Arizona State led by as many as 20.
Before the game, the Sun Devils honored the six seniors on the squad -- Bachynski, Marshall, McKissic, Richie Evans, Jarett Upchurch and Dave Whitmore.
Cal has lost three of four by scores of 86-66 to UCLA, 87-59 to Arizona and 78-60 to Arizona State.
© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.