LAS VEGAS – Minutes after leading Arizona State to its first ranked win in over a year and first exempt tournament title in over 20 years with a 102-86 win over No. 15 Xavier, the Sun Devils senior trio of guards was standing side-by-side in front of the media in the bowels of the Orleans Arena.

Kodi Justice was holding his all-tournament team award, earned with a 16-point effort against the Musketeers (5-1) on Friday afternoon. Shannon Evans was in possession of the Las Vegas Invitational tournament championship trophy, hardware he helped capture with 22 points on his own against the ranked Big East foes.

Though he had just been named tournament MVP, Tra Holder’s hands were empty – they had done enough already on Friday, scoring 40 points (a career high for Holder), grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing 4 assists and snatching 3 steals in ASU’s (6-0) latest statement victory.

“I don’t know [what’s gotten into me],” Holder said, after resetting his personal-best for points twice in the last week. “(Assistant coach) Levi (Watkins) always jokes with me and tells me I’m in the gym too much to miss a lot of shots. I’ve just got a strong work ethic that comes from my family and I always want to be in the gym.”

Despite the lopsided final score, the beginning of Friday’s Las Vegas Invitational Championship Game was dominated by an experienced Xavier team, a group that reached the Elite 8 last season.

With just over 3 minutes remaining in the opening half, Holder had just 4 points and the Musketeers had a 44-29 lead. But, ASU’s senior guard added 10 quick points before halftime, including a made 3-pointer, through contact, seconds before the buzzer.

The run got ASU back into the game. They won it in the second half.

Over the final 23 minutes of basketball, ASU outscored Xavier 73-42. Holder and his backcourt teammates were the No. 1 reason why.

“It was just pure enjoyment to see guys play that way in the second half,” coach Bobby Hurley said. “I know how good they are. To see Tra put on that type of performance and Shannon again and Kodi, the three seniors that have been through a lot together. To finally see them getting MVP, All-Tournament, Tournament Championship, it was special.”

When the trio was asked how it felt to put their program back on the college basketball map, a wry smile crossed each of their faces. They weren’t sure how to answer the question, but they knew it was true.

“We want to start the trend,” Evans said. “…We want to start something here and keep it going.”

On Friday, ASU’s comeback got going because of what the guard group did on both ends of the floor.

Xavier had pounded the paint in the opening frame, scoring 28 points in the key and out-rebounding the Sun Devils 19-13 by halftime. Forwards Romello White (4 points, 5 rebounds), De’Quon Lake (7 points, 8 rebounds) and Vitaliy Shibel all got in foul trouble, battling fatigue after a hard-fought battle against Kansas State on Thursday.

“We were a little lethargic or sluggish early getting back on defense and some with the rebounding,” Hurley said.

So, the Sun Devils guards got aggressive in the half court and began taking the ball away from Xavier’s own veteran backcourt before they could fire penetrating passes down low. Between the three seniors and freshman Remy Martin, ASU finished the game with 9 steals and 22 points off turnovers.

Martin’s contributions off the bench were crucial, giving Hurley’s squad some fresh legs after the other three guards all played 37 or more minutes on Thursday.

“He is just harassing the dribbler,” Hurley said. “The guy [he guards] is like, ‘Could you just not pick me up this time. Just give me one time where I don’t have to deal with you.’ That’s the best thing that he does and occasionally he’ll cheat a passing lane and find a way to create a steal that will get you a basket.”

When the Sun Devils did set up in the half court, the guards once again were called upon to space the floor and exploit lanes to the hoop. Xavier’s defense had no answer.

“We have multiple guys making (the 3-pointer) so it spreads everyone out,” Hurley said. “The guards are so good off the dribble too so we don’t have a guy that can only shoot and not dribble. They are complete players and there are multiple guys out there like that so it puts pressure on defenses.”

As the Sun Devils began to stretch Xavier’s defense, it was Holder who took advantage the most. In the second half, he scored 23 points and made 7-of-12 from the field. Justice and Evans provided threats from behind the arc too, combining for 5 made 3-pointers after halftime.

Hurley said he thinks the guards – all of whom have had individually explosive offensive performances this season – heat up when they begin feeding off one another’s energy.

“It doesn’t matter who has it going,” Hurley said. “Last night it was Kodi, other nights it was Shannon. I think they get great confidence playing together.”

Added Holder: “We talk to each other all throughout the game, trying to get each other shots and find each other. It’s something that doesn’t just build on the floor, it builds off the court as well. We’re so connected and we’re all best friends so it’s a good thing.”

In a five-minute span late in the game, ASU went on a 21-5 run, blowing open a slim 6-point lead into a 22-point blowout. By the end of the scoring spree, Xavier coach Chris Mack pulled his top three starters J.P Macura (23 points in the game), Tyrique Jones (8 points) and Trevon Bluiett (11 points).

Hurley followed step, bringing Holder and Evans off the floor in the final minute of the game. The vocal minority of Sun Devils supporters in the crowd serenaded their seniors with roars. It’s been a while since the fan base has had a basketball team this talented to cheer for.

“I think this was the chance to be the best offensive team by far that I’ve coached,” Hurley said. “In the many ways that we can attack an opponent. We didn’t even have a great inside scoring game from our frontcourt but the guards were unstoppable.”