Pac-12 Tournament: Arizona State edges Stanford in overtime

Freshman Carson scores 34 for Arizona State in opening win.

The Associated Press

First Published Mar 14 2013 12:06 am • Last Updated Mar 14 2013 12:06 am

Las Vegas • Jahii Carson has always loved the spotlight, embracing the hype that has followed him since his high school days.

Faced with the brightest lights of his young career, the fabulous freshman rose above everyone else.

Carson scored five of his 34 points in overtime in his first college postseason game, helping Arizona State hold off Stanford 89-88 in the opening round of the Pac-12 Tournament on Wednesday. Carson’s 34 points were the most by a freshman in tournament history.

"I just try to come up big on big stages," Carson said. "I know my teammates look a lot for me to create for them and create for myself, and I try to go out there and make big plays."

Meeting for the second time this season, the Cardinal and Sun Devils traded 3-pointers, dunks and small runs in an entertaining opener to the four-day tournament at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Arizona State (21-11), the tournament’s ninth seed, went up six with about 2 minutes left in regulation, but Stanford (18-14) rallied, tying it at 79 on Aaron Bright’s four-point play with 38 seconds left.

Carson, who missed a 3-pointer at the end of regulation, put Arizona State up three with a layup in overtime, and Evan Gordon hit 5 of 6 free throws to send the Sun Devils to the quarterfinals Thursday against No. 21 UCLA.

Colorado 74, Oregon State 68 • Colorado won four games in four days to become a surprise winner of last year’s Pac-12 Tournament.

The Buffaloes took the first step toward another four-in-four run on Wednesday.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 20 points and Colorado picked up a much-needed win at the Pac-12 tournament, holding off Oregon State 74-68 in the first of what it hopes to be four rounds.

"You can’t come in with the big-picture mentality," Colorado coach Tad Boyle said.

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