Goodman powers Arizona State past Detroit 93-54

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Arizona State coach Herb Sendek knew he needed to get newcomer Savon Goodman in the starting lineup. He wanted to simplify things for guard Gerry Blakes, too.

The new look provided the Sun Devils with the needed energy boost following their most difficult loss of the season.

Goodman had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Blakes added 13 points while running the point, and Arizona State whipped weary Detroit 93-54 on Tuesday.

''It was a great bounce back, given where we were mentally late Saturday night,'' Sendek said of the triple-overtime home loss to Lehigh.

Getting his first start in his third game with his new team, the UNLV transfer Goodman scored 19 points in the first half as the Sun Devils (7-5) built a 50-22 lead. Shaquielle McKissic scored seven of his 14 points in a 13-0 spurt to start the second half in Arizona State's most lopsided win of the season.

Roosevelt Scott added nine points in his first start as Arizona State snapped a two-game skid.

''We were definitely looking forward to this day, to redeem ourselves,'' Blakes said.

Brandan Kearney, who transferred from Arizona State, scored 15 points for the Titans (6-7), who shot 30 percent to end a grueling three-game road trip with in their fourth-straight loss.

''We were a tired basketball team. We had low energy,'' Detroit coach Ray McCallum said. ''Guys tried to get going emotionally, but we were sluggish.''

Looking for better energy, Sendek made the first significant changes to his lineup with the team scuffling ahead of the Pac-12 opener Jan. 4 at Arizona.

Sendek said Goodman needed to start after scoring 24 points against Lehigh, while Blakes had ''a lot on his plate'' playing both guard spots. So Blakes was moved to point guard and Sendek simplified the offense.

''It probably gives us our most active, athletic team on the floor,'' Sendek said.

The result: a 57-percent shooting day led by Goodman's dominance inside.

Goodman hit 8 of 12 shots and 6 of 8 free throws in 22 minutes, exiting the game for good with 7:25 left.

''It's just fun to be out there,'' Goodman said. ''And it's fun to be with a group that I love.''

Detroit, which had the lead in the second half of a loss to Wichita State while also playing Oregon and Michigan tough in defeats, was never in it.

The Titans' miserable first half included turnovers on their first three possessions -- a 10-second violation, an airball and a shot that hit the side of the backboard -- as Arizona State cruised to leads of 6-0, 22-8 and 34-14.

Top scorer Juwan Howard Jr., son of the former Michigan star, missed his first six shots before hitting a wing jumper with 3:11 left in the first half. He was held to nine points on 4 of 17 shooting.

''That really hasn't happened to him all year,'' McCallum said.

TIP-INS

Detroit: The Titans were to fly home Wednesday to end a 7,130-mile, eight-day trek that also took them to Central Florida and Rhode Island. . How bad of a day was it for Detroit? Jarod Williams was called for a foul on a dead ball free-throw attempt in the second half.

Arizona State: The 86-50 rout of Chicago State in the opener was the Sun Devils' previous largest margin of victory.

KEARNEY'S RETURN

One of the few bright spots for Detroit was Kearney's play in his return to the desert.

Kearney hit 5 of 8 shots and added four rebounds. The Detroit native started his career at Michigan State, then averaged 1.2 points in 19 games for Arizona State last season before transferring again.

UP NEXT

Detroit: Hosts Oral Roberts on Tuesday.

Arizona State: Hosts Harvard on Sunday.