Arizona State Women’s Basketball Defeats Arizona in Overtime Thriller
TUCSON — The Arizona State Sun Devils women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 75-69 overtime victory against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, February 14, at McKale Center. The win marked ASU’s first in Tucson since February 18, 2018 and completed a season sweep of their rivals – a feat they hadn’t accomplished since that same year.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams battling fiercely. Arizona mounted a late comeback in the fourth quarter, going on a 10-0 run to briefly take the lead after ASU had led by as many as six points. However, the Sun Devils responded, forcing overtime with a clutch shot from McKinna Brackens.
Brackens continued her strong play in the extra period, scoring eight of her game-high 24 points to help seal the victory for ASU. Coach Molly Miller praised her team’s composure and resilience, particularly their ability to execute under pressure.
“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 victory was particularly significant for ASU (21-6, 8-6 in Big 12) as they build their case for an NCAA Tournament berth. The Sun Devils overcame adversity throughout the game, including having two guards foul out and being forced to play players out of position.
The game also carried extra weight due to recent comments made by Arizona coach Becky Burke. Following ASU’s win in Tempe on January 28, Burke remarked, “It was great. I’m happy for them. We play in that environment every night.” ASU guard Gabby Elliott acknowledged hearing Burke’s comments and stated that the Sun Devils would play “10 times harder” at McKale Center, known for its boisterous atmosphere.
“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 on February 11.
The crowd at McKale Center, totaling 8,766, certainly lived up to its reputation. Miller acknowledged the atmosphere, calling it a “win for women’s basketball,” even noting the prevalence of red in the stands – a reference to ASU’s colors.
A brief scare occurred in the first quarter when ASU’s leading scorer, Gabby Elliott, went down with a lower-body injury. She was assessed for several minutes before leaving the court, but ultimately returned early in the second quarter and finished with 22 points.
Forward Heloisa Carrera also made a significant contribution for ASU, grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with 10 points, recording a double-double. The Sun Devils’ rebounding effort improved dramatically in the second half, outboarding Arizona significantly.
ASU’s next game is on the road against Iowa State on Wednesday, February 18, at 5:30 p.m. They will then return home to face Houston on Saturday, February 21, at 2 p.m.
