Richie Saunders' 30 points power BYU to big win over Arizona State

(Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

BYU junior guard Richie Saunders scored a career-high 30 points while making a career-best six 3-pointers in the Cougars' 76-56 victory over visiting Arizona State in the Big 12 opener for both teams Tuesday in Provo, Utah.

BYU (10-2, 1-0) has won four consecutive games. The Sun Devils (9-3, 0-1) have lost two of their last three games.

Saunders finished 6-of-11 from beyond the arc and 11-of-18 overall. Kanon Catchings had 11 points and Keba Keita finished with nine points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars.

BJ Freeman was the only Arizona State player in double-figure scoring with 11 points.

Saunders, playing for the first time since suffering a concussion on Dec. 14, scored 13 of BYU's first 18 points, leading the Cougars to an 18-4 lead with 11:41 left in the first half.

Arizona State was 2 of 11 from the field at that time and missed two more shots before ending the half converting eight of 18 shots to rally back.

The Sun Devils outscored BYU 16-5 over the last 6:17 of the half and trailed 31-26 at halftime.

Freeman and Alston Mason each had five points and Joson Sanon added four points in that stretch.

Saunders did not score in the last 11:41 of the half after starting 4-of-5 from the field.

BYU scored the first nine points of the second half take a 40-26 lead with 17:05 remaining.

The Cougars' lead became 50-32 with 13:34 left after a 10-2 run in which Saunders scored six points on three layups.

After Amier Ali made a dunk following a steal to cut the lead to 59-45 with 7:42 left, Ali was called for a technical foul for taunting.

Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley was also assessed a technical foul after arguing about the call on Ali.

Dawson Baker made three of the four free throws afterward and Saunders made a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to give BYU a 65-45 lead with 7:29 remaining.

--Field Level Media