Live updates, score: Grand Canyon vs. Arizona State basketball at Phoenix Suns arena
The Arizona State and Grand Canyon campuses are less than 20 miles apart.
On Thursday night, the Phoenix-area neighbors will meet in an intriguing nonconference men's basketball matchup at the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.
Arizona State (2-1) is coming off an 88-80 loss at No. 6 Gonzaga where they had a legitimate chance to win the game down the stretch.
Grand Canyon (2-0) will play its first game this season with star guard Tyon Grant-Foster who missed the first two games because of academic eligibility issues.
Grand Canyon is favored by 5.5 points.
Follow our live updates, in-game analysis and big-play highlights from Arizona State vs. Grand Canyon:
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Second Half Updates
Arizona State 87, GCU 76, final: Very impressive win by the Sun Devils. They were 5.5-point underdogs to an NCAA Tournament team returning four starters βΒ and ASU was clearly the better team.
Arizona State 85, GCU 74, 1:05 left: Arizona State's freshmen are having a breakout game. Jayden Quaintance has been a force on the defensive end, and Joson Sanon has been the best player on the floor.
Arizona State 78, GCU 69, 3:55 left: The Sun Devils are now 11-of-23 from the 3-point line, and that has been the difference in the game. Basheer Jihad is having another strong game with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Arizona State 71, GCU 60, 7:39 left: Joson Sanon hits ANOTHER 3-pointer and now has a game-high 19 points. This kid is putting on a show. He's now 5-of-6 from the 3-point line.
Arizona State 64, GCU 55, 9:14 left: Joson Sanon drills another 3-pointer and now has a game-high 16 points.
Arizona State 53, GCU 45, 15:51 left: The Sun Devils came out of the locker room on fire. They're now 8-of-15 from the 3-point line.
Halftime Stats: ASU 41, GCU 40
Arizona State freshman guard Joson Sanon leads all scorers with 13 points. Shawn Phillips has 6 points and 6 rebounds for ASU.
Tyon Grant-Foster leads GCU with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
First Half Updates
Arizona State 41, Grand Canyon 40, halftime: This feels like a Sweet 16 game. Both teams made big runs and big-time plays. Arizona State freshman Joson Sanon took over down the stretch, draining three 3-pointers to help give ASU the lead at halftime. Sanon leads all scorers with 13 points.
Grand Canyon 30, Arizona State 28, 4:37 left: And just like that GCU goes on a 7-0 run led by their All-American candidate Tyon Grant-Foster. He now has 7 points and 4 rebounds.
Arizona State 28, Grand Canyon 23, 5:45 left: The Sun Devils have found their stroke from the perimeter. Adam Miller knocks down a 3-pointer and they're now 4-of-10 and heating up.
Grand Canyon 21, Arizona State 20, 7:16 left: Back and forth we go in front of a raucous crowd at the Footprint Center.
Flagrant foul on ASU: Austin Nunez is whistled for a flagrant foul on a controversial play. Nunez tried to block a shot on a breakaway by GCU's Caleb Shaw, and it looked like a common foul. Shaw missed both free throws. Ball don't lie?
Arizona State 13, Grand Canyon 12, 11:38 left: This is going to be a great ballgame. Both teams are getting contributions up and down their rosters, and both are competing at a high level. Shawn Phillips leads ASU with 4 points.
Arizona State 6, Grand Canyon 6, 15:19 left: The environment inside the Footprint Center has an NCAA Tournament feel with both student sections going at each other. And the arena is at capacity, with about 18,000 fans in full throat. The Sun Devils are just 1-of-6 from the field, but their defense has forced GCU into 2-of-8 shooting.
Adam Miller foul trouble: Arizona State's senior guard picks up two quick fouls and heads to the bench less than two minutes into the game.
Bobby Hurley's starting five:
Grand Canyon's starting five:
Pregame Updates
The Sun Devils arrived to the home of the Phoenix Suns in style.