ASU women’s basketball mounts comeback at Arizona
- Entertainment
ThePostMaster- 0
- 10 minutes read
Updated Feb. 14, 2026, 4:37 p.m. MT
TUCSON — The words rolled out quickly as Arizona coach Becky Burke heard about Arizona State’s women’s basketball attendance record crowd of 6,121 against Arizona.
“It was great. I’m happy for them. We play in that environment every night,” Burke said on Jan. 28, following Arizona’s loss in Tempe.
Both teams were on even ground with two new head coaches and revamped rosters, but the Sun Devils ignited the once piping hot rivalry by snapping Arizona’s seven-game winning streak.
Burke’s postgame comments about ASU’s crowd just stoked the flames.
ASU guard Gabby Elliott was aware of Burke’s comments heading into the matchup and said on Feb. 11, that the Sun Devils will likely play “10 times harder” at the famously thunderous McKale Memorial Center.
“Even when that coach was here, I believe she mentioned something about their fanbase and something like that, so it’s going to be loud,” Elliott said.
With 8,766 in attendance, the Sun Devils kept that warning in mind and overcame Arizona’s late efforts. Even with two guards fouled out and players playing out of position, ASU and McKinna Brackens won 75-69 in overtime on Saturday, Feb. 14, at McKale Center at ALKEME Arena.
Coach Molly Miller called the crowd a “win for women’s basketball,” even though there was more red in the seats. Miller is only one season removed from when her Grand Canyon team beat the Wildcats in Tucson in the only meeting between those programs.
ASU got its first win in Tucson, and its first season sweep since Feb. 18, 2018. The current winning road record helps ASU (21-6, 8-6 in Big 12) in its case for an NCAA Tournament berth.
“We had something more to play for,” Miller said. “We got this opportunity for postseason, and we needed this win to get there. That’s something that you’ll face in the postseason, with these crowds and adversity. This was a great game for us.”
The Sun Devils led by as many as six points in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats went on a 10-0 run to take a two-possession lead. ASU struggled to make shots down the stretch and keep its composure after guards Jyah LoVett and Marley Washenitz fouled out.
Arizona’s run ended when guard Sumayah Sugapong fouled Elliott on her 3-point attempt with 37.7 seconds left. Elliott made two of her three free throws, keeping ASU behind by one possession.
Miller called a timeout with 6.8 seconds left for ASU’s last shot, drawing options that involved Elliott taking a 3 or driving to the basket. With the midrange open, Brackens’ most efficient spot, and Elliott guarded by Noelani Cornfield, ASU’s third option opened up. Brackens sunk it in to force overtime.
“That’s a testament to them,” Miller said. “They were calm enough not to panic if the first option wasn’t open… I couldn’t think of a better shot to seal it with.”
Brackens was instrumental in overtime for ASU, having a hand in almost every play. Brackens scored eight of her 24 points in overtime.
ASU had a scare with 7:45 left in the first quarter when Elliott went down with a lower-body injury. ASU’s leading scorer was assessed for several minutes before heading into the locker room. Makayla Moore, who played in one game since her two-month absence due to injury, took over Elliott’s spot.
Moore impacted the court in different ways in her 4 minutes, including drawing an offensive foul from guard Tanyel Welch, which took away Arizona’s possession.
Elliott returned early in the second quarter and finished with 22 points in 36 minutes.
“She’s just a tough kid, and that trickles down to our whole team,” Miller said. “If Gabby feels good and she’s feeling confident, then our whole team is feeling good and confident.”
The Sun Devils looked overwhelmed in the first quarter, allowing seven field goals on 11 attempts from Arizona. The Wildcats caught ASU flatfooted and took advantage, scoring nine points off ASU’s seven turnovers. ASU only managed four points from Arizona’s eight miscues.
With the full group back in the second, ASU’s defense stiffened, and Arizona made one shot in eight attempts in the first five minutes.
ASU’s 3-point shooting looked good against Utah with seven makes, but had a rough start with one 3 on six attempts. The Sun Devils settled down more in the second and went 3 of 4, tying the score at halftime.
Forward Heloisa Carrera’s efforts turned the glass game around for ASU. The Sun Devils had just 10 rebounds in the first half, but more than doubled the amount with 22 in the second half. Carrera posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
ASU has four games remaining before the Big 12 tournament. The Sun Devils will travel to Iowa State on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m. ASU will return to Tempe on Feb. 21, against Houston at 2 p.m.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories atjenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as@jennarortiz on X.
Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up forAzcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to ourdaily sports newsletters so you don’t miss a thing.
