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Harden, Arizona State hosts Pepperdine

Nov 23, 2008 - 7:40 AM Pepperdine (1-3) at No. 15 Arizona State (2-0), 4:00 p.m. EST

TEMPE, Arizona (Ticker) -- After passing its first road test, No. 15 Arizona State returns home to face Pepperdine on Sunday.

The Sun Devils (2-0) fell behind 15-2 but rallied for a 59-52 triumph at San Diego State on Tuesday.

Sophomore James Harden scored 18 points and Ty Abott added 13 for Arizona State, which has not started 3-0 since 2005 when it won its first four games.

Arizona State will not play another true road game until it visits Stanford on January 2. The Sun Devils are taking part in the 76 Classic in Anaheim, California next week before returning home for six straight contests before Pac-10 play begins.

The Waves should not pose much of a threat to the Sun Devils, who are ranked in the preseason polls for the first time since 1991-92.

Pepperdine (1-3) has lost three straight, including Friday's 90-66 setback at New Mexico State.

Mychel Thompson leads the Waves in scoring at 12.3 points per game.