Tempe, AZ -- (Sports Network) - James Harden scored 25 points and ripped down 13 rebounds to lead the top-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils to a 64-53 victory over the eighth-seeded Alabama State Hornets in the first round of the NIT.

Ty Abbott added 15 points for Arizona State (20-12), which will battle fourth- seeded Southern Illinois in the second round.

Andrew Hayles netted 12 points in the loss for Alabama State (20-11), while teammate Brandon Brooks had 10 points.

Abbott scored all 15 of his points on five three-pointers in the first half, and his Sun Devils led 39-21 at intermission.

Alabama State did go on a 15-4 run in the second half and even cut the deficit to eight points with just over three minutes remaining, but Arizona State tightened defensively and held on for the win.

Arizona State earned a 43-35 rebounding advantage in the contest and a 14-8 edge in points from the foul line.

The Hornets shot 32.2 percent from the field in the clash.