DePaul (4-4) was no match for sophomore star Jahii Carson and Arizona State (8-2) on Friday night, falling 78-56.
The Blue Demons, who were coming off a solid win against Oregon State on Sunday, trailed by only three points at halftime, but the Sun Devils quickly extended their lead to 45-34 early in the second half.
Without star guard Brandon Young, its second-leading scorer and leader in assists, DePaul did not have enough of a scoring punch to keep up with Arizona State.
The Blue Demons shot a measly 29.2% from the field (11.8% on three-pointers) while the Sun Devils shot better than 50%. They also had no answer for Arizona State’s center, Jordan Bachynski, who blocked eight shots.
While Bachynski dominated defensively, Carson and Penn State transfer Jermaine Marshall had the hot hand on offense.
Carson recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, and Marshall added 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
Junior forward Shaquielle McKissic posted 14 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, marking his first career double-double.
Freshman point guard Billy Garrett Jr. led DePaul with 14 points, and freshman forward Tommy Hamilton IV had 12 points and six rebounds.
Reserve sophomore guard Durrell McDonald added 11 points and a career-high six steals.
DePaul returns to action at home against Florida Atlantic on Thursday while Arizona State hosts winless Grambling State on Dec. 14
