Arizona State senior point guard Remy Martin scored 26 points to help the No. 18 Sun Devils hold off the Rhode Island Rams 94-88 on Wednesday night at the 2K Empire Sports Classic in Uncasville, Conn.
Martin, a preseason All-American, also had six rebounds and five assists in the foul-plagued season-opener for both teams.
Arizona State, which squandered a 16-point first-half lead, trailed 72-69 with 11:18 to go. The game stayed within one possession until ASU’s Marcus Bagley made a free throw with 1:08 to go for a 92-88 lead. Holland Woods made a steal and layup in the final minute to finish the scoring.
The Sun Devils advanced to Thursday’s title game of the four-team tournament, where they will meet No. 3 Villanova, a 76-67 winner over Boston College on Wednesday. The Rams will play the Eagles in the consolation game.
Wednesday’s matchup wasn’t set until Monday after Baylor — Arizona State’s original opponent — withdrew because of COVID-19 issues. The game was often sloppy, with the teams combining to commit 55 fouls and 29 turnovers.
Rhode Island junior forward Antwan Walker scored a career-high 19 points, as did guard Jeremy Sheppard, making his URI debut after stops at Eastern Carolina and junior college. Walker scored 16 points in the second half.
