Harden’s lone basket helps ASU beat Temple 66-57

By The Associated Press     Mar 20, 2009

? James Harden made only one field goal Friday for Arizona State, and it was a big one.

The Sun Devils’ scoring leader struggled most of the game but sank a 3-pointer with 4:02 left to help hold off Temple, and Arizona State won 66-57 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Harden went 1-for-8 and was held to nine points, less than half his average. But junior Derek Glasser scored a career-high 22 points and Jeff Pendergraph also had 22 for the Sun Devils, who shot 51 percent.

Sixth-seeded Arizona State (25-9) reached the 25-win milestone for the first time since 1975 and will play Sunday against Syracuse (27-9), which beat Stephen F. Austin 59-44.

No. 11-seed Temple (22-12) was eliminated in the opening round for the second year in a row.

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32417Harden’s lone basket helps ASU beat Temple 66-57