Arizona State’s Maurice Odum Leads Comeback to Beat Texas 87-86

In a thrilling finish at the Maui Invitational, Maurice Odum propelled Arizona State to a remarkable comeback victory against Texas, clinching an 87-86 win on March 25, 2024. Odum delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a career-high 36 points, including a pivotal three-pointer in the closing moments of the game.

The match, held in Lahaina, Hawaii, showcased a fierce battle between two competitive teams. With five minutes remaining, Arizona State was trailing when Odum sparked the Sun Devils with seven consecutive points. His efforts, accompanied by Massamba Diop‘s strategic offensive rebound that resulted in a three-point play, shifted the momentum and allowed Arizona State to take a 79-78 lead.

Texas responded vigorously, with Dailyn Swain delivering two critical go-ahead baskets, the latter putting the Longhorns ahead 84-82 with just three minutes left. The back-and-forth intensity continued as Diop equalized the score with less than a minute to play.

As the tension escalated, Swain countered with another layup for Texas, regaining a two-point advantage. In a dramatic turn, Odum missed a three-point attempt but quickly fouled Swain, who failed to capitalize by missing both free throws. Seizing the opportunity, Odum redeemed himself by nailing a three-pointer with just ten seconds left on the clock, bringing the score to 87-86.

In the final moments, Diop made a crucial defensive play by stealing the ball from Tramon Mark, sealing the victory for Arizona State. Odum’s shooting was notable, as he successfully made 6 of 12 three-point attempts and went an impressive 16 for 18 at the free-throw line. Anthony Johnson contributed significantly off the bench, adding 17 points, while Diop tallied 8 points.

On the Texas side, Swain led the scoring with 24 points, showcasing his accuracy by hitting 10 of 14 shots, though he struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 3 of 6 attempts. Matas Vokietaitis supported with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Mark and Jordan Pope added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

With this victory, Arizona State improved to a record of 5-1, while Texas fell to 4-2. Both teams are set to continue in the Maui Invitational, with Arizona State facing Chaminade and Texas going up against Washington State on March 26, 2024. The thrilling encounter showcased the competitive spirit and skill level present in college basketball, setting the stage for exciting matchups ahead.