TEMPE, Ariz. – The first-ever meeting between the Hartford and Arizona State men's basketball teams was a battle, but it was the Sun Devils that prevailed on Wednesday night as they escaped with a 71-63 triumph at Wells Fargo Arena. Sophomore Nate Sikma poured in a career-high 26 points in the back-and-forth outing that saw the lead change hands 16 times.

The loss snaps a three-game win streak for the Hawks and drops them to 4-4 on the season while ASU, which had combined to defeat its opponents by 17 points per game in its previous six wins, moves up to 7-1 in 2012-13.

One of four Hartford players to finish in double figures, Sikma made 50 percent of his three-point attempts, scoring 18 points from downtown to help reach his career-high. Sikma was followed by classmate Yolonzo Moore II who scored 11 points for his fourth-straight double figure scoring game. He matched a career-best eight rebounds to pace the Hawks on the boards.

Rounding out the top scorers for the Hawks were sophomores Wes Cole and Jamie Schneck, who each added 10 points. Schneck was efficient around the rim, finishing 4-of-5 from the field.

The Hawks put together a terrific first half, hitting their shots early on while applying pressure on ASU. Hartford's first three made baskets came from downtown, but the home team connected on its first five shots of the game and led, 10-9, with 15:22 on the clock.

The hot three-point shooting continued for the Hawks as three of their next six buckets were from beyond the arc, allowing the visiting team to grab a 21-17 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the opening stanza. After an ASU layup by Eric Jacebson closed the gap to two, rookie Evan Cooper sunk three-straight free throws to held Hartford claim a five-point advantage at 24-19.

That lead was the Hawks' largest of the game as the Sun Devils battled back using a 14-4 run to go ahead for the first time since the clock read 11:37. With 2:56 left to play in the half, Jahii Carson capped ASU's run with a bucket to make the score 33-28.

The Hawks continued to shoot efficiently from the field and closed out the half by scoring seven of the last 10 points. A jumper by Moore with 1:01 left made it a four point game while Sikma followed with his third three of the game to send the Hawks into the locker room down by just one point at 36-35 after shooting an impressive 50 percent (13-of-26) from the field.

Sikma, who led all scorers at the break with 13 points, kept his rally going in the second half, hitting a short jumper to provide the Hawks with a 37-36 lead to start the period. ASU's Carson responded with a layup on the other end and Jonathan Gilling reclaimed the advantage for the Sun Devils on a long three pointer.

The Hawks answered as Sikma drilled another three, which sparked a 9-2 run that put Hartford ahead, 47-43, with 14:55 remaining.

ASU grabbed the lead again at 49-47 by scoring six unanswered points out of a timeout. After the teams exchanged buckets, a pair of made free throws by Sikma tied things up at 49-49 and Hartford would go ahead for one last time at 52-50 with 9:32 remaining thanks to the sophomore's fifth three pointer of the evening.

Down the stretch, Hartford struggled to execute on the offensive end, coming up without a field goal in six-straight trips down the court. That allowed ASU to take charge of the game as it put together a 15-2 run, good for a 65-54 lead with 3:25 left to play.

Despite receiving three's from Cole, Moore and Sikma in the closing minutes, the Hawks were unable to get stops on the defensive end, allowing the Sun Devils to seal the game.

ASU shot 56.3 percent overall, including 62.5 percent in the first half. The Hawks fell short on the battle of the boards, but only by five rebounds (33-28). They did, however, hold an advantage on the offensive glass, pulling down 11 rebounds to ASU's nine.

Sixteen of Hartford's 22 buckets were credit with assists, led by Moore's four. The Hawks did not visit the free throw line often, but made all seven of their attempts. ASU shot 16 more free throws than Hartford, but made just 11 of its 23 attempts.

Carson finished with 20 points for ASU, missing just three of his 12 shots on the evening. Most of his buckets came from around the rim as the Sun Devils outscored the Hawks, 32-8, in the paint. Sophomore Mark Nwakamma, who snagged a game-best four steals, was held scoreless for just the second time in his career. His time, however, was limited as he was sidelined for a good chunk of the game after getting into foul trouble early.

The road swing continues for the Hawks as they travel to Fairleigh Dickinson on Sun., Dec. 9, ending a 10-year hiatus between the two teams. The Hawks and Knights are scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. tip from Teaneck, N.J.