Arizona State Falls Short of Maui Invitational Title

The magical Sun Devils run came short on Wednesday afternoon despite a valiant effort.

Arizona State Sun Devils Moe Odum (5) looks at the net before taking a shot during a game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Nov. 4, 2025. | Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- The Arizona State Sun Devils (6-2) fell short against a former Pac-12 foe in the USC Trojans (7-0) on Wednesday afternoon by a score of 88-75 in what was the finale of the Maui Invitational tournament.

The Sun Devils had gone on a four-game win streak heading into this game - including two dramatic victories in the tournament, while the Trojans went into the game with no blemishes on the year.

Head coach Bobby Hurley opted to roll out the same starting lineup that has graced the floor over the first seven games of the season in Moe Odum, Bryce Ford, Santiago Trouet, Andrija Grbovic, and Massamba Diop.

ASU Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) sits on the bench before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Desert Financial Arena on Nov. 17, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Arizona State on SI recaps the game below.

First Half

The Trojans and Sun Devils began the game trading buckets, with Trouet beginning the game on a roll for ASU, while USC got welcome contributions from Jaden Brownell off the bench in the early stages of the game.

Diop converted on an and-one at the two-minute mark of the half to tie the game at 39, with the conclusion of the half continuing the resounding theme that has been the back-and-forth nature of the games in Maui.

The two teams went into the locker room tied at 43 - six ties and 11 lead changes truly don't do justice to how exhilarating the first half was.

Second Half

Arizona State Sun Devils guard Anthony Johnson (2) leans into Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Tyon Grant-Foster (7) on Nov. 14, 2025, at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Trojans came out of the second half with renewed energy, as Chad Baker-Mazara packed a substantial scoring punch in the opening minutes of the period.

Anthony "Pig" Johnson injected undeniable energy on the Sun Devils' front, as Hurley's squad continued to show a scrappiness that had been absent in the previous two seasons.

USC eventually gained control of the game - taking a 73-66 lead into the under-eight timeout despite Odum's best efforts to keep the Sun Devils within two possessions.

Arizona State Sun Devils Santiago Trouet (1) and Massamba Diop (35) attempt to block Southern Utah Thunderbirds Isaiah Cottrell (0) during a game at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Nov. 4, 2025. | Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The lead the Trojans built up stabilized, and Arizona State was unable to overcome the deficit despite efforts from the starting unit.

Key Performances

Moe Odum - 17 PTS, 4 AST, 4-9 3PTFG

Santiago Trouet - 13 PTS, 5 REB, 5-10 FG

Anthony Johnson - 13 PTS, 2 STL, 7-8 FT

Massamba Diop - 13 PTS, 2 REB, 1 BLK

What's Next

Arizona State has a week-plus off before they play Oklahoma at the Mortgage Matchup Center in downtown Phoenix next Saturday night. They are set to return to Desert Financial Arena on Tuesday, December 9 against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on major takeaways from the Sun Devils’ convincing win over Colorado in week 13 here.

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