Sun Devil Women’s Basketball Hits 20-Win Mark, Stays Hot in Big 12 Battle
TEMPE - The Sun Devils are back in familiar territory - and back in the win column - after a gritty, 71-61 home win over Utah that pushed Arizona State Women’s Basketball to the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2019-20. It’s a milestone that doesn’t just reflect a number; it signals that ASU is once again a program to be reckoned with.
Head coach Molly Miller continues to make her mark in Tempe, tying Joseph Anders for the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history. At 20-6 overall and 7-6 in Big 12 play, ASU is now part of a four-team logjam in seventh place alongside Utah, Kansas State, and Iowa State - all just one game back of fifth-place Oklahoma State and Colorado. With five conference games to go, the race is tight, and ASU is right in the thick of it.
And if Miller’s track record is any indication, this team isn’t done yet. This marks the 11th time in her 12 seasons as a head coach that she’s hit the 20-win mark.
From her dominant run at Drury to her success at Grand Canyon - including a 32-win season and the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth - Miller has brought a winning pedigree to Tempe. And it’s showing.
Elliott Shines in the Clutch - Again
Gabby Elliott continues to be the engine that powers ASU in crunch time. Against Utah, she poured in 19 points - 13 of them coming in the second half - marking her third straight game with double-digit scoring after halftime.
This isn’t new territory for Elliott. She scored all 17 of her points in the second half against Oklahoma State and dropped 15 of her 25 in the second half during ASU’s near-upset of then-No.
15 Baylor.
Elliott also tied for the team lead in rebounds (five), added a game-high four steals, and crossed the 500 career rebound milestone - now sitting at 504. Her ability to elevate her game when it matters most has been a cornerstone of ASU’s success down the stretch.
Brackens Delivers Again vs. Utah
McKinna Brackens, who torched Utah for a career-high 31 points in their first meeting, came through again in the rematch. She tallied 14 points, dished out a career-high six assists, and matched her career best with three blocks. Brackens continues to show she’s more than just a scorer - she’s a two-way contributor with a knack for timely plays.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
Heloisa Carrera gave ASU a first-half spark, scoring eight of her 12 points before the break and tying for the team lead with five boards. Last-Tear Poa chipped in nine points, went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line, and added three assists and three rebounds. It was a balanced effort from a team that’s learning how to close out games with poise.
Defensive Identity on Full Display
If there’s one thing this ASU team has consistently leaned on, it’s defense. And once again, it was the Sun Devils’ calling card.
They led for over 38 minutes of the game and never let Utah fully seize momentum. Even when the Utes cut a double-digit deficit down to four early in the fourth quarter, ASU’s defense locked in and slammed the door.
Utah missed seven of its final 10 shots, and the Sun Devils made sure there would be no comeback. That kind of late-game composure has become a theme - just ask Arizona, Oklahoma State, or Baylor, all of whom struggled to generate offense in the closing minutes against ASU.
The Sun Devils also made their possessions count. They shot 56 percent from the field in the fourth quarter and hit 9-of-10 free throws to ice the game. From beyond the arc, ASU tied its second-highest mark of the season with seven made threes, hitting them at a scorching 54 percent clip.
Winning the Margins
Despite being out-rebounded by 14 and giving up a 12-4 edge on the offensive glass, ASU stayed even with Utah in second-chance points (11-11). That speaks to effort, execution, and making the most of limited opportunities. And for the second straight game, ASU kept its turnovers in check, committing just 11 - tied for its second-lowest total of the season.
What’s Next?
With five games left in Big 12 play and a tight race in the middle of the standings, every possession - and every win - matters. But with a 20-win season already in the books and a defense that travels, the Sun Devils are proving they’re built for this stretch run.
Molly Miller has this team believing - and more importantly, executing. The Sun Devils aren’t just back in the 20-win club. They’re back in the conversation.