Dec. 29, 2004
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Ike Diogu had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Arizona State past Valparaiso 89-65 in the finals of the ASU Hoops Classic on Wednesday night.
The Sun Devils (11-1) have won nine in a row for the first time since the 1980-81 season and won their holiday tournament for the third time in the last four.
Kevin Kruger had 17 points, making 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and Serge Angounou added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Sun Devils, who won 11 times in their first 12 games for the third time in school history.
Dan Oppland scored 17 points and had seven rebounds for the Crusaders (3-7). Ron Howard had 14 points and Jimmie Miles 13.
Arizona State went on an 11-0 run during a 2:36 stretch in the first half to open up a 26-13 lead. Diogu, chosen the tourney MVP, had his sixth double-double by halftime, scoring 11 points and getting 11 rebounds as the Sun Devils took a 38-20 halftime lead.
Valparaiso had 12 rebounds total in the half, and was outrebounded 51-26 in the game.
Penn State defeated Long Island 80-56 earlier Wednesday in the consolation finals.