Arizona State went into Las Vegas and came away with a result that should turn some heads: a 65-58 win over UNLV, the Mountain West preseason favorite.
The Sun Devils got three players into double figures, but the night belonged to transfer guard Morson. She led all scorers with 17 points and added seven rebounds, giving ASU the kind of lift that can swing a tight road game.
Morson had only appeared in one game before Tuesday, logging nine points in the blowout win over Northern Arizona. Against UNLV, though, she looked like a much bigger part of the rotation. She paced the Devils from deep, knocking down two of five from three-point range, and one of those triples came at a huge moment with less than two minutes left in a game that was still very much up for grabs.
Arizona State had control early, but UNLV pushed back with a 22-16 third quarter to tighten things up. The Sun Devils answered in the fourth, outscoring the Rebels 17-12 to close it out.
Heloisa Carrera and McKinna Brackens also chipped in, combining for 19 points. Brackens added nine rebounds, helping ASU win the battle on the glass, 44-35.
Ruby Whitehorn delivered another important all-around performance as well, posting a double-double with 10 rebounds. That kind of guard rebounding fits exactly what Molly Miller has been pushing for, and it’s part of why this team already looks so versatile.
Arizona State’s frontcourt presence was a strength last season. Now the guard talent has been layered on top of it, giving the Sun Devils a roster that can beat teams in more than one way.
The win also keeps Miller’s non-conference record at Arizona State spotless at 18-0.
As for where this ranks among ASU’s best non-conference victories, the road win at Gonzaga last season is probably still the benchmark, with other possibilities including games at Oregon State, at Penn State and UNLV’s previous trip to Tempe.
The Sun Devils are now 3-0 and will have more chances to add quality wins soon, with Penn State and Wake Forest on the schedule before another meeting with Gonzaga at Desert Financial Arena.
Next up is a home game against Penn State on Nov. 15 at 2:00 PM MST.
In Other News...
Paulius Murauskas Is Changing Arizona State's Ceiling Faster Than Expected
Paulius Murauskas has wasted little time making Arizona State look more dangerous than expected. The Sun Devils have already seen the transfer forward deliver a 22-point, 11-rebound performance in a win, and the early returns have matched the buzz that followed him into the program, where he was picked as the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
His impact has gone beyond scoring, too. Murauskas was named to the Big 12 Starting Five of the Week, and head coach Randy Bennett has pointed to his leadership and knack for drawing fouls as part of what is lifting the teams ceiling. For Arizona State, the encouraging part is not just that Murauskas has been productive, but that he seems to be settling in fast enough to change the shape of the season before it has really settled in. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona States Early Turnaround Starts With Two Veterans Fans Need To Notice
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Bryce Ford has been part of that same foundation. The senior guard stayed with the program after the coaching change and has given Arizona State important production as Bennett works to build depth and reshape the rotation. For a team trying to move quickly from uncertainty to identity, the value of veterans like Murauskas and Ford goes beyond box scores, even if there is still plenty to sort out as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Heads Into Arizona State With A Backfield Problem To Solve
UCF is heading into its matchup with Arizona State with its backfield depth already under pressure. Running back Duke Watson will miss the game because of injury, and the Knights are also dealing with a long list of unavailable players that includes Tyler Gibson, DJ Bell, Kahmel Johnson, Demari Henderson and Dylan Burk, leaving the roster thinner than usual as they prepare for a tough road test.
Waden Charles is listed as doubtful with an undisclosed injury, while several others remain on the questionable or probable side of the availability report. For Arizona State, that kind of uncertainty can matter just as much as a single absence, because it can change how UCF handles its rotations, its pace and its options if the game turns into a grind. [Read more 🡒]