STORRS, Conn. » Shaq McKissic scored 22 points Wednesday night as Arizona State knocked 2014 NCAA champion UConn out in the first round of this year’s National Invitation Tournament, 68-61.

UConn senior guard Ryan Boatright, a unanimous first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection, missed the first game of his four-year career due to a left shoulder injury. Boatright, UConn’s leading scorer at 17.4 points per game, was injured in the AAC championship game Sunday against SMU.

Savon Goodman scored 14 for the Sun Devils (18-15).

Rodney Purvis led UConn (20-15) with 19 points.

Arizona State outscored the Huskies 20-7 over the final nine minutes of the first half and led 37-24 at halftime. The Sun Devils increased their lead to 16 in the first two minutes of the second half, and were up 48-34 before the Huskies went on a 25-11 run to tie the game at 59 on Omar Calhoun’s 3-pointer from the left corner with 2:42 left.

A 3-pointer by McKissic with 2:10 left put Arizona State up for good.

TIP-INS

Arizona State: The Sun Devils had runs of 10-2 and 10-0 in the first half.

UConn: Forward Kentan Facey (concussion) returned to action for the Huskies. Facey missed all four games in the American tournament after being injured in practice.

UP NEXT

Arizona State: Will face Richmond/St. Francis Brooklyn winner in NIT second round.

UConn: Season over.