Sun Devils Push No. 15 Baylor to the Brink in Gritty Road Battle
WACO, Texas - The Arizona State women’s basketball team walked into hostile territory Saturday night and very nearly walked out with a statement win. Facing No.
15 Baylor on its home floor, ASU gave the Big 12 leaders everything they could handle before falling just short, 67-64. It was a game that showcased the Sun Devils’ resilience, depth, and a whole lot of heart - and if you’re tracking this team’s growth, this one felt like a turning point.
Gabby Elliott: The Engine Once Again
If there’s one player who’s been the heartbeat of this Sun Devil squad lately, it’s Gabby Elliott. Coming off a 17-point second-half explosion in Wednesday’s win over Oklahoma State, Elliott picked up right where she left off - and then some.
She poured in a game-high 25 points, with 15 of those coming in the second half when the game tightened and every possession mattered. Elliott also tied for the team lead with six rebounds, battling on both ends and keeping ASU within striking distance down the stretch. Her ability to create her own shot and hit tough jumpers under pressure continues to be a lifeline for this offense.
Bench Boost: LoVett and Fantini Step Up
Depth matters, especially in conference play, and ASU’s bench came through in a big way for the second straight game. Jyah LoVett delivered her best performance of the season, dropping 16 points in just over 23 minutes - her highest total since mid-December. She added two assists and two steals, impacting the game on both ends.
Martina Fantini, who had scored just eight points in Big 12 play prior to this game, brought energy and efficiency off the bench. In under 15 minutes, she put up six points on perfect shooting and grabbed four boards. Her spark in the first half helped stabilize the offense during a cold stretch and kept ASU within striking distance.
Together, LoVett and Fantini combined for 22 of the Sun Devils’ 64 points - a critical contribution in a tight game.
The Game Flow: Runs, Responses, and a Final Push
This was a game of momentum swings, and both teams had their share of highs and lows.
Baylor came out strong, building a 15-9 lead after one quarter. But Elliott quickly cut into that with back-to-back jumpers to open the second. The Sun Devils clawed their way back despite both teams enduring extended shooting droughts - at one point, both squads missed six straight shots.
Fantini’s six-point burst and timely buckets from Brackens and LoVett helped ASU close the half on a 5-of-9 shooting stretch. They went into the locker room down just three, 29-26, and very much in the fight.
The third quarter brought more fireworks. After a quick bucket by Last-Tear Poa pulled ASU within one, Baylor responded with a 12-4 run to stretch its lead to nine - the largest margin of the night.
But the Sun Devils didn’t blink. LoVett hit a jumper that sparked an 8-0 run, capped by Elliott giving ASU a 44-43 lead.
It was a back-and-forth battle from there, with Baylor edging ahead 53-48 heading into the final quarter.
ASU tied it up again at 58-58 after a clutch three from Elliott and a layup by McKinna Brackens. But a cold stretch - six straight missed shots - nearly derailed the comeback. Still, the defense held firm, and a steal and layup by Deborah Davenport cut the deficit to two with just over two minutes to play.
LoVett’s jumper made it 63-62, and ASU had a chance to tie it in the closing seconds. But Baylor’s defense held, and the Sun Devils couldn’t get off a clean look from deep to force overtime.
Free Throws: A Tale of Two Lines
One of the biggest differences in the game came at the charity stripe. ASU, typically a solid free-throw shooting team in Big 12 play (77.8%), struggled in this one, hitting just 62% (13-21). Baylor, on the other hand, made the most of its opportunities - especially down the stretch - converting 81% overall and an eye-popping 90% (18-20) in the second half.
That margin at the line proved decisive. Baylor scored more than a third of its points from the stripe, and in a three-point game, every one of those mattered.
Coach Molly Miller: “We’re Building Something Real”
After the game, head coach Molly Miller summed it up best: “Our group never backed down. Our fight, effort, and togetherness showed as our kids emptied the tank verse a ranked team.
Our kids poured everything into it tonight. Proud of the grit, the growth, and the heart.
We’re building something real.”
And she’s right. This team may have come up short on the scoreboard, but there’s no question they’re trending in the right direction.
They went toe-to-toe with a top-15 program on the road and had a shot to win it in the final seconds. That’s not just progress - that’s a signal to the rest of the Big 12 that ASU is no longer just competing.
They’re coming.
With a 19-6 overall record and a 6-6 mark in conference play, the Sun Devils are making noise in year one under Miller. If they keep showing this kind of fight, it won’t be long before they notch that elusive ranked win - and maybe a few more after that.