TEMPE, Ariz. – Jordan Bachynski had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Jahii Carson was steady in his debut and Arizona State used a big first-half run to roll over Central Arkansas 79-64 in its season opener Saturday night.
Uneven early, the Sun Devils broke it open with a 20-2 run late in the first half and never let the Bears back in it, forcing 19 turnovers while Bachynski blocked a school-record nine shots.
Carson didn't look like a player who hadn't played in nearly two years, scoring 14 points while handing out five assists. Evan Gordon, a transfer who sat out last season, added 14 points for the Sun Devils.
Central Arkansas, opening its third season under former NBA player Corliss Williamson, struggled against Arizona State's pressure and had no one who could match up with Bachynski inside.
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