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WBB returns home to face UNLV on Saturday

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WBB returns home to face UNLV on SaturdayWBB returns home to face UNLV on Saturday
  • THE GAME:  Sun Devil WBB (4-0) vs. UNLV (2-2)
  • WHEN: Saturday at 2 p.m. MST
  • WHERE: Desert Financial Arena • Tempe, Ariz.
  • WATCH: ESPN+
  • RADIO: KDUS AM 1060
  • LIVE STATS: Click here
  • TICKET INFORMATION: Click here

PROMOTION – SAFARI FUN FROM 12:30-2 P.M. IN THE ARBORETUM

  • Fans are encouraged to arrive early and experience a close-up encounter with Phoenix Zoo wildlife
  • Get decked out with animal-themed face painting
  • Enjoy a playful meet and greet at our petting zoo
  • Poster making station, safari activity pages and more!
  • Donate a canned food item for two complimentary tickets to the Sun Devil women’s basketball team’s home contest vs. Arizona on Wed., Jan. 28. All proceeds will aid St. Mary’s Food Bank

UP NEXT

Coming off a successful road trip in which it won both of its contests – one by dominating on both ends of the floor and the other by having to be pushed late in the game – the Sun Devil women’s basketball team (4-0) returns home to face UNLV, the first of six consecutive games the Sun Devils will play at home between Nov. 22-Dec. 6.

The Lady Rebels (2-2) have proven themselves to be a formidable squad in recent seasons as they have averaged 28 wins the past four seasons (26, 30, 31, 26) and have qualified for three of the past four NCAA Tournaments. One of UNLV’s two losses came against current seventh-ranked Baylor, a game in which UNLV took a lead into the fourth quarter.

WATCH/LISTEN

Saturday’s game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard KDUS AM 1060 (pregame radio coverage will start at 1:30 p.m.). Veteran Valley broadcaster Vince Marotta (play by play) will be joined by former Sun Devil head coach Maura McHugh (analyst).

RECAPPING LAST WEEK

  • After winning their first two games at home, the Sun Devils ventured out of the state of Arizona for the first time last week and came away with a pair of impressive wins at San Diego (79-47) and at Santa Clara (82-27). Gabby Elliott had a pair of tremendous outings, averaging 22.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg, and 4.5 apg. For the two games, Elliott hit 52 percent of her shots, including 58 percent (7-12) from beyond the arc. At San Diego, Elliott scored a season-high 24 points and made six 3-pointers, coming within one triple of tying the program’s single-game school record for 3-pointers. Elliott’s six triples contributed to ASU tying the program’s single-game record for 3-pointers (14) in the win. Elliott also pulled down a game-high seven rebounds to go with four assists. Elliott was every bit as outstanding at Santa Clara, posting her first double-double of the season with 20 points and career highs in rebounds (16) and assists (five).
  • Elliott was joined by McKinna Brackens (16.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Marley Washenitz (15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 4.0 apg) in averaging double figures for the two games. Brackens also had a double-double (career-high 23 points, 11 rebounds and career highs in free throws made/attempted – 9/12) at Santa Clara.
  • In ASU’s win at San Diego, freshman Amaya Williams – playing in only her third career game (second career start) – dished out 11 assists, the most by a Sun Devil since current graduate assistant Reili Richardson had 11 at Colorado State on Dec. 9, 2018.
  • After missing two games due to injury, Last-Tear Poa tied her career high in scoring with 14 points, had five rebounds and tied Elliott for the team high in assists (five) at Santa Clara.
  • The 47 points ASU at USSD were the fewest scored by an opponent since ASU defeated Idaho State 72-40 on Nov. 19, 2023.
  • In the two wins, ASU nearly scored twice as many second chance points as the opposition (29-16).
  • ASU’s win at USD, was head coach Molly Miller’s 300th as an NCAA coach.

MOLLY MILLER ERA OFF TO A WINNING START

  • ASU has started the Molly Miller era with four wins in as many games. It opened the season with home victories over Coppin State (67-53 on Nov. 3) and Eastern Washington (73-58 on Nov. 8) and followed that with last week’s road wins at USD and at Santa Clara.
  • Against Coppin State, ASU shot 67 pct. and outscored CSU 27-10 in the final frame to turn a three-point deficit into a 67-53 win.
  • A 26-8 scoring run that commenced in the final minute of the first half and concluded in the first minute of the final quarter helped ASU defeat EWU 73-58. In the first and third quarters, ASU outscored the Eagles 37-17 while allowing them to make only 21 percent (6-29) of their shots.
  • ASU tied the school record for 3-pointers in a game and shot a season-high 52 pct. (64 pct. 3FGs/14-22) at USD. For the second straight game, ASU utilized a scoring run (11-0) that started at the end of the first half and carried over into the second half. It stretched a seven-point lead into a commanding 18-point advantage.
  • At Santa Clara, ASU jumped out to an 18-point lead in the second half. It then had to hold off a furious rally by the Broncos, who tied the game twice in the fourth quarter, but were never able to reclaim the lead.

DID YOU KNOW, AS A HEAD COACH MOLLY MILLER....?

  • Entered the 2025-26 campaign third in winning percentage among active coaches who have served at least five years as a Division I head coach. Miller (84.4 pct/297-55 career record/11 seasons entering 2025-26) trailed only legendary coaches Geno Auriemma (88.3 percent/1,250-165 career record/40 seasons entering 2025-26) and Kim Mulkey (85.9 percent/754-124 in 25 seasons entering 2025-26).
  • Has won her last 34 non-NCAA Tournament games going back to last season when she was coaching at Grand Canyon University.
  • Has won her last 25 home games going back to the 2023-24 season when she was the head coach at GCU.
  • Won her 300th game as an NCAA head coach on Nov. 13, 2025.

SERIES NOTES VS. UNLV

  • Saturday’s contest will be the first meeting between the Sun Devils and Lady Rebels since UNLV claimed a win over ASU in the 2004 postseason WNIT. ASU will be looking to end a three-game losing streak to UNLV

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • With a win on Saturday, ASU would open 5-0 for the second time since 2003-04, the last instance coming in 2022-23.
  • Gabby Elliott (18.3 ppg/6th in Big 12, 52 pct FGs/8th in Big 12 & 47 pct. 3FGs/3rd in Big 12, 8.0 rpg/6th in Big 12, 2.3 spg) Marley Washenitz (15.3 ppg/16th in Big 12, 4.8 rpg, 47 pct. FGs/11th in Big 12, 2.5 spg/10th in Big 12) and McKinna Brackens (13.5 ppg, team-high 7.0 rpg/12th in Big 12) are all averaging double figures with Elliott and Washenitz notching double-digit scoring totals in every game. Elliott is currently 5th in the Big 12 in minutes per game (33.6).
  • As a team (as of Nov. 20), ASU enters Saturday’s game 35th in the nation in assists per game (18.5/6th in the Big 12) & 51st in 3-point FG pct. (36.5/6th in Big 12). It is also 5th in the Big 12 in O-rpg (14.8).
  • ASU’s point total has gone up in each game thus far: 67-73-79-82.
  • ASU has forced the opposition into an average of 21.0 turnovers per game.. Equally important is ASU has scored 24 ppg off those turnovers.
  • ASU has scored 19 or more points in a quarter (76.0 ppp average) 10 times, including a season high 27 points in the fourth quarter of its comeback win over Coppin State (Nov. 3). In its win over Santa Clara, ASU scored 20 or more points in three of the four quarters.
  • The Sun Devils have already had two players – Last-Tear Poa (10 assists) and freshman Amaya Williams (11 assists) – who have had a single-game, double-digit assists total this season.

NEW FACES BRING LOTS OF EXPERIENCE

  • Of the 10 new players on this year’s roster, six players have played 50 or more games at the D1 level, including one student-athlete (Last-Tear Poa), who has played in 104 games.
  • Four of this year’s newcomers – Marley Washenitz (82), Gabby Elliott (77), Acacia Hayes (75), Jordan Jones (72) – have started more than 70 games at the D1 level.
  • Both of ASU’s returners from last season – Makayla Moore (74 games/33 starts), Jyah LoVett (52 games/38 starts) – also have a significant amount of experience. LoVett started 21/31 games as a 2024-25, while Moore had five starts in the 21 games she played.

NOTES

  • ASU’s bench has outscored the opposition’s reserves three times in four games this season. The bench was especially important in Sunday’s win over Santa Clara as Last-Tear Poa (14 points, five rebounds and five assists) and Martina Fantini (six points, six rebounds, two assists) combined for 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. In ASU’s win over Eastern Washington, returner Jyah LoVett scored 13 points.
  • In ASU’s comeback win over Coppin State, Elliott scored 14 of her 16 points and shot 62.5 percent from the floor in the second half. She led ASU’s rally with a team-high eight points in the final quarter. Elliott was every bit as impressive defensively, leading ASU with a game- and career-high seven steals. Elliott led ASU with 15 points in the win over EWU and went over the 1,000-point mark for career points. Her six 3-pointers at USD were one short of tying the single-game school record of seven.
  • Washenitz has scored in double figures in the first half three times in four games this season.

NOTES FROM ASU’S 4-0 START

  • Against Coppin State... Closed the game on a 16-2 run after Coppin State tied the game at 51-51 with 5:43 remaining... After shooting 31 pct. in the first three quarters, hit shot 67 pct. in the final 10 minutes. On the flip side, Coppin State made 47 pct. of its shots during the first 30 minutes/38 pct. in the final 10... Converted 33 turnovers into 37 points... Had 19 steals, the most by an ASU squad since it had 20 vs. Cal Poly on Dec. 3, 2010.
  • Against Eastern Washington... Scored 19 points on the 22 turnovers it forced... The Sun Devils took control of the game with dominating defense at the start of both halves. In the first and third quarters combined, ASU outscored the Eagles 37-17 while allowing them to make only 21 percent (6-29) of their shots. ASU forced the Eagles into missing their first nine shots of the game and allowed them to shoot only 22 percent for the quarter.
  • Against San Diego... Tied the single-game school record for 3-pointers (14)... The 47 points ASU allowed represented the fewest scored by an opponent since ASU defeated Idaho State 72-40 on Nov. 19, 2023... Made a higher percentage of their attempts from outside the arc (63.6 percent/14-22 3 FGs) than inside it (44.4 percent/16-36 FGs). Made a season-high 51.7 percent of its shots... Had a season-high 25 assists.
  • Against Santa Clara... McKinna Brackens (career-high 23 points, 11 rebounds and career highs in free throws made/attempted – 9/12) and Gabby Elliott (20 points and career highs of 16 rebounds and five assists) combined for 43 points and 27 rebounds, while accounting for the team’s first double-doubles of the season... After missing the last two games due to injury, Last-Tear Poa tied her career high in scoring with 14 points, had five rebounds and tied Elliott for the team high in assists (five)... Marley Washenitz (11 points, six rebounds) joined Elliott as the only two Sun Devils who have scored in double figures in every game... Heloisa Carrera had eight points and collected four rebounds... Martina Fantini came off the bench with valuable contributions of six points, six rebounds and six assists... ASU jumped out to an 18-point lead in the second half. It then had to hold off a furious rally by the Broncos, who tied the game twice in the fourth quarter, but were never able to reclaim the lead.

NOTES ON THIS YEAR’S SQUAD

  • Four Sun Devils came into this season averaging double-figure career scoring averages: Jordan Jones (15.1 ppg), Elliott (12.1 ppg), Hayes (12.0 ppg) and returning guard Jyah LoVett (10.8 ppg). Jones’ 19.9 ppg as a junior at Denver last season, represents the highest single-season scoring average on ASU’s roster.
  • Other proven scorers at the NCAA DI level include returning guard Makayla Moore (averaged 11.6 as a sophomore at Seattle University) and McKinna Brackens (9.8 ppg last season at UNLV) and Marley Washenitz (9.3 ppg), who are both coming off their best seasons in points per game.
  • With Gabby Elliott going over 1,000 points in ASU’s win over Eastern Washington on Nov. 8, the Sun Devils now have three players who have scored 1,000 or more points in their career: Jordan Jones (1,193), Acacia Hayes (1,021) and Elliott (1,012).
  • Timya Grice (6-5), Martina Fantini (6-3), Deborah Davenport (6-2) not made their NCAA DI debuts this, they also brought size to this year’s team. Other new players who figure to do the same are Ole Miss transfer Heloisa Carrera (6-2), UNLV transfer McKinna Brackens (6-1) and Denver transfer Jordan Jones (6-0).

2025-26 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE NOTES

Eight home games, including a pair of multi-team events, highlight the Sun Devil Women’s Basketball team’s 2025 non-conference schedule.

The eight home contests the Sun Devils play will take place within their first 10 games of the season. After the season opener vs. Coppin State, ASU will host Eastern Washington on Sat. Nov. 8. The Sun Devils will next play consecutive road games at San Diego (Thurs., Nov. 13) and at Santa Clara (Sun., Nov. 16). ASU’s contest vs. UNLV on Sat., Nov. 22, will be the first of six consecutive games played on its home turf. On Wed., Dec. 10, the Sun Devils will be in University Park, Pa., to face Penn State, the first of three straight road games they will play to close out the non-conference schedule.

ASU’s six-game homestand that starts vs. UNLV on Nov. 22 will include consecutive weekends in which the Sun Devils will host a pair of events in which they will play two games in as many days.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, ASU will face Little Rock (Nov 28) and SEMO (Nov. 29). The weekend will also include a pair of non-ASU games: San Diego vs. Little Rock (Nov. 28) and San Diego vs. SEMO (Nov. 30).

The following weekend, ASU will host the annual Briann January Classic (Dec. 5-6), an event in which McNeese State, Nevada and San Francisco will also be participating.

ASU will play in the second game of both of the weekend’s doubleheaders which will be taking place at Mullett Arena, Sun Devil Athletics newest on-campus Multi-Purpose Arena. On Fri., Dec. 5, the Sun Devils will host McNeese State (preceded by Nevada vs. San Francisco) and the following day they will face San Francisco (preceded by McNeese State vs. Nevada).

BIG 12 SCHEDULE NOTES

When ASU hosts Colorado in its first Big 12 contest on Sun., Dec. 21, it will be the squad’s first home game since Sat., Dec. 6. Prior to the contest vs. Colorado will be road games at Penn State (Wed., Dec. 10), at Oregon State (Sun., Dec. 14), and at Gonzaga (Tues., Dec. 16).

After the conference opener against Colorado, ASU will have its longest gap of the season between games (10 days). The Sun Devils will resume Big 12 play with consecutive road games in the state of Utah (at Utah on Wed., Dec. 31 and at BYU on Sat., Jan. 3). Following a home contest vs. UCF (Wed., Jan. 7), ASU will play at TCU (Sun., Jan. 11), the third time in four games it will be on the road following the holiday break.

When ASU hosts Arizona on Wed., Jan. 28, it will be the first of three straight home games and four of five overall. Matchups vs. Kansas State (Sun., Feb. 1) and Oklahoma State (Wed., Dec. 4) at Desert Financial Arena will precede ASU’s only road game in the stretch, at Baylor on Sat. Feb. 7). The span will conclude with a rematch vs. Utah in Tempe (Wed., Feb. 11).

ASU’s game at West Virginia (Wed., Jan. 21) will be the second time the Sun Devils will be playing more than 2,000 miles away from home in 2025-26. The first instance will take place on Tues., Dec. 9 at Penn State, the first of three consecutive road games ASU will play on the road to conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule. After playing at West Virginia, ASU will play a second consecutive road game at Cincinnati (Sat, Jan. 24).

SUN DEVIL ATHLETICS COUNTS DOWN TO NCAA WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR

In October 2020, the NCAA officially named ASU, the city of Phoenix, and the Footprint Center as hosts for the Women’s Final Four Tournament, to be held April 3, 5, 2026.

In August, Sun Devil Basketball’s Head Coach Molly Miller joined several key community members at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to unveil the official Countdown Clock to the event.

Unveiled alongside Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallaego, 2026 Women’s Final Four Committee Jay Parry, and NCAA Vice President for Women’s Basketball Lynn Holzman, the clock is located at the busiest terminal in the airport, Terminal 4, on the west end of the baggage claim. The placement means it will see significant foot traffic to build maximum excitement.

Arizona State University had a significant presence at the event. ASU Athletic Director Graham Rossini, Sparky, and Senior Associate Athletics Director Christina Wombacher were on hand to help underscore the University’s role as a proud stakeholder in bringing the Women’s Final Four to the Valley for the first time.