In a highly anticipated matchup at the Vegas Showdown, Arizona State's men's basketball team suffered a decisive 77-49 defeat against BYU on Thursday night. However, the game was marred by a heated altercation in the final minute, overshadowing the outcome.

The altercation unfolded with just 34 seconds remaining in the contest, under BYU's basket. BYU's Atiki Aly Atiki and ASU's Akil Watson became entangled after Atiki turned the ball over. Tempers flared, and Atiki appeared to throw a punch, leading to his ejection by the referees. Meanwhile, Watson, showing signs of retaliation, was restrained by BYU coach Mark Pope and avoided ejection.

Compounding the situation, BYU's Noah Waterman was also ejected for leaving the bench during the scuffle. Ironically, Waterman had been a key catalyst for the Cougars throughout the game, single-handedly propelling them to victory with his impressive performance.

Waterman's remarkable display included sinking six three-pointers and scoring 24 points, becoming the top scorer for BYU. His proficiency on the court, along with his seven rebounds, propelled the Cougars (5-0) to secure a place in the championship game against N.C. State on Friday night.

In addition to Waterman's outstanding contributions, Trevin Knell and Richie Saunders also made significant contributions to BYU's win, scoring nine points apiece. Fousseyni Traore played an essential role as well, tallying nine rebounds, five assists, and six points.

Jamiya Neal led the scoring for the Sun Devils (2-2) with 13 points, followed by Frankie Collins with 11 points and seven rebounds. Bryant Selebangue made a commendable impact off the bench, scoring 10 points.

The first half painted a bleak picture for Arizona State, as they struggled to find their rhythm, shooting only 30% from the field. Their three-point shooting was particularly lackluster, making just 1 of 11 attempts, while also failing to convert all six of their free throw opportunities. On the other hand, BYU capitalized on their opportunities, shooting 35% from the field and connecting on 6 of 19 three-pointers, along with a solid 4 of 5 from the foul line.

BYU's dominance continued into the second half, with relentless shooting accuracy. They finished the game shooting 51.6% in the second half and an impressive 42.4% from beyond the arc, making 14 of 33 attempts. Arizona State struggled to keep up, shooting 39% in the second half and managing to convert only 1 of 11 three-point attempts.

This loss further expands BYU's lead in the all-time series against Arizona State, now standing at 28 victories to ASU's 22.

Despite the disappointing outcome and the unfortunate altercation in the final minute, Arizona State's basketball team will have an opportunity to bounce back as they face Vanderbilt in their next game leading up to the title game. Meanwhile, BYU will look to carry their momentum forward into the championship game against N.C. State, aiming to extend their unbeaten streak.

While the loss and the altercation will undoubtedly be scrutinized, it is crucial for both teams to refocus and exhibit sportsmanship as they continue their campaigns in the Vegas Showdown and beyond.