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Women's Basketball back on the road for pivotal contest at Iowa State on Wednesday

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Women's Basketball back on the road for pivotal contest at Iowa State on WednesdayWomen's Basketball back on the road for pivotal contest at Iowa State on Wednesday
Sun Devil Athletics

Sun Devil WBB (21-6, 8-6 Big 12) at Iowa State (20-6, 8-6 Big 12)

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The Sun Devil women’s basketball team (21-6, 8-6 Big 12) travels to Ames, Iowa, for a pivotal contest as far as the Big 12 standings are concerned when it plays at Iowa State (20-6, 8-6) on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. CST/5:30 p.m. MST). Not including Tuesday’s Big 12 results, the Sun Devils and Cyclones are tied for seventh place in the Big 12 standings. 

Watch/Listen

Wednesday’s game at Iowa State can be seen on ESPN+ (BJ Schaben, Molly Parrott, Elizabeth Ihle). It can also be heard on 1440 AM KAZG (pregame coverage will start at 5 p.m. MST). The state of Arizona’s 2010 and 2019 Broadcaster of the Year, Jeff Munn, who on Dec. 4, 2025, was named a recipient of the Arizona Media Association Lifetime Service Award, is in his 22nd season as the voice of ASU WBB.

Notes from last weekend

  • Last week’s wins supplied even more evidence of how far ASU has come this season under first-year head coach Molly Miller. ASU’s 71-61 win over Utah gave the Sun Devils their 20th win, the first time since 2019-20 it had won 20 games. It was also the first time since 2018-19 that ASU swept the regular season series over Utah.
  • On Saturday, Miller set the program record for the most wins by a first-year coach following ASU’s 75-69 overtime win at Arizona. The win at Arizona was ASU’s first over the Wildcats in Tucson since Feb. 18, 2018. Prior to Saturday, the 2017-18 season was also the last time ASU swept Arizona.
  • Gabby Elliott (20.5 ppg, 7-13 3FGs), McKinna Brackens (19.0 ppg, 14-26 FGs, 5.0 apg, 4.5 rpg) and Heloisa Carrera (11.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 10-20 FGs) all averaged double figures in scoring while also having major contributions in other areas. Brackens earned Big 12 Starting Five recognition as one of its Top Performers due in large part to her performance at Arizona as she paced ASU in scoring (24 points), with 19 points coming in the second half (10 points) and overtime (nine points). Brackens’ brilliance was responsible for sending the game into overtime, hitting a jumper from just inside the free-throw line with 3.3 seconds remaining. Brackens also had seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
  • ASU’s 21 wins represent its highest victory total since the 2018-19 squad (22-11) that went on to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
  • ASU’s seven road wins represent its highest win total in such games since the 2018-19 team went 7-4.

Series notes vs. Iowa State

  • This will be the fifth all-time meeting between ASU and Iowa State.
  • Iowa State leads the series 3-1. Prior to last season’s meeting in Tempe, the first as Big 12 foes and won by Iowa State 90-83, the last meeting took place on Nov. 25, 1995, a contest won by the Cyclones 69-61 at the Cyclone Classic in Ames, Iowa.
  • Jyah LoVett had a strong outing in last season’s game, scoring 13 points (6-9 FGs) and five assists.

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. At the outset of the 2025-26 campaign, Miller (84.4 pct/297-55 career record) trailed only legendary coaches Geno Auriemma (88.3 percent/1,250-165 career record) and Kim Mulkey (85.9 percent/754-124 career record).
  • Has won 20 or more games 11 times in her 12 seasons as a head coach (including this season). In six seasons at NCAA DII Drury, where she started her career as a head coach in 2014, Miller won no fewer than 26 games, including four seasons with 30 or more wins, and lost no more than five games in a season. Before taking the reins of the Sun Devil women’s basketball program, Miller coached five seasons at Grand Canyon University where she won more than 20 games four times, including a school record 32 victories that culminated with the program’s first invite to the NCAA Tournament in 2025.
  • Including her 32-3 record at Grand Canyon last season, Miller is 53-9 over the last two seasons.
  • Has won her last 37 of her last 38 home games going back to the 2023-24 season at GCU.
  • Won her 300th game as an NCAA head coach on Nov. 13, 2025.

Sun Devils among most improved teams in the country in 2025-26

As of Feb. 17, ASU was trailed only McNeese for the top spot in the nation in the largest improvement in wins from last season. ASU’s current victory total of 21 more than doubles the 10-22 record it had in 2024-25.

State of play

  • ASU has four regular season games remaining: two on the road (at Iowa State on Wednesday and at current No. 20 Texas Tech in the regular season finale on Mar. 1) and two at home (vs. Houston on Saturday and a rematch with BYU on Feb. 25).
  • As of Feb. 17, the Big 12 had 12 teams inside the top 60 of the NET rankings: TCU (11), West Virginia (23), Oklahoma State (27), Baylor (28), Texas Tech (31), Iowa State (33), Colorado (46), ASU (48), Kansas (51), Utah (53), K-State (58) and BYU (59).
  • Gabby Elliott has the fifth-highest number of 20-point games (nine) in the Big 12, while McKinna Brackens has the third-highest number of double-doubles (eight) and the fourth-highest number 10-rebound games (seven).
  • Elliott scored 22 points in Saturday’s win at Arizona with 12 of those points coming in the second half (10) and overtime (two), the fourth straight game she has scored in double figures after halftime (averaging 14.3 ppg during that stretch). Elliott accounted for half (4-8 3FGs) of ASU’s eight 3-pointers and, after missing her first three free throws, showed tremendous composure in making a pair of critical singles to cut Arizona’s lead to two with 37 seconds remaining.
  • ASU is 14-1 at home this season with its only loss coming vs. K-State (74-67 on Feb. 1). The Wildcats made 60 percent (12-20) of their attempts from long range and shot 51.2 percent, just the second ASU opponent to shoot 50 percent or higher this season. Since that game, the opposition (vs. Oklahoma St., at Baylor, vs. Utah, at Arizona) has collectively made only 37 percent of its FG attempts, including 21.0 percent from long distance.

Out of conference notes

Arizona State’s perfect 5-0 road record in out of conference play was matched only by Kentucky and Austin Peay. The only other schools in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12 and Big East to play at least five true road out-of-conference games were Clemson (3-2), Tennessee (3-2), Georgia Tech (0-5) and Seton Hall (3-3). ASU out-of-conference road wins include top-100 NET teams (as of Feb. 17) Gonzaga (64), Santa Clara (68), Penn State (91) and Oregon State (94). It also won at Utah (53).

ASU went 13-0 outside of Big 12 action in 2025. As of Feb. 17, UNLV is 17-8 and 12-3 in the Mountain West Conference… McNeese is 22-4 and 16-1 in the Southland. ASU won at WCC leading Gonzaga (19-8, 11-3), at Oregon State (18-9, 10-4), at Santa Clara (20-7, 10-4) and topped San Francisco (15-10, 8-6) at home... The Zags, Beavers and Broncos are 29-6 in home games outside of the combined three losses to ASU.

How good was that 15-0 start?

  • ASU started 15-0 this year after going 10-22 last year. How impressive is that? Since 1999-00 only Nebraska has bounced back from a losing record to post more season opening wins, winning its first 30 in 2009-10 after going 15-16 in 2008-09.
  • On Dec. 6, Miller’s first ASU squad surpassed the 1991-92 team (9-0) for the best start in school history. With its win at Utah (Dec. 31), ASU tied the 2008-09 and 2015-16 teams for the longest winning streak in school history.
  • It’s no coincidence...
  • When she assumed the reins at ASU, Miller emphasized defense as one of the pillars of success of her past teams and it would be no different at ASU. Miller’s last two GCU teams were among the best in the nation in scoring defense: 19th in 23-24 (56.4 ppg), 31st in 24-25 (57.2 ppg). It should come as no surprise those teams won 83.6 percent of their games (56-11). FUN FACT: Going back to her first season at Grand Canyon (2020-21), Molly Miller’s teams are 72-1 when holding the opposition to 55 or fewer points.

Dominant Devil defense  

  • As of Feb. 17, ASU is ranked among the top 70 teams in the nation in turnovers forced per game (40th/20.3/2nd in Big 12), steals per game (61st/10.1 spg/5th in Big 12), scoring defense (66th/59.9 ppg/5th in the Big 12) and field goal pct. defense (70th/37.9/5th in Big 12)
  • ASU has held the opposition to 13 or fewer points in a quarter 46 times this season, including single digits 15 times. At West Virginia (Jan. 21), the Mountaineers scored more than 13 points in a quarter only one time.
  • In its 67-44 win vs. San Francisco (Dec. 6), ASU held the Dons more than 30 points below their scoring average... ASU’s 56-53 win over UNLV (Nov. 22) represented the first time the Lady Rebels were held to 53 or fewer points in 148 games... In their 53-43 loss at West Virginia (Jan. 21), the Sun Devils held West Virginia to its second-lowest point total of the season (53), 25.6 points below its scoring average, and 11.1 percentage points below its usual 34.2 percent efficiency from beyond the arc.
  • On Dec. 14, Oregon State (15 points) became the first ASU opponent in six games to reach a double-digit point total in the second quarter. ASU’s previous five opponents scored a combined 28 points in the second quarter (5.6 ppg): Little Rock - 5, SEMO - 5, McNeese - 7 San Francisco - 7, Penn State - 4.
  • ASU has forced 20 or more turnovers 15 times, including a trio of 30+ TO games: 33 vs. Coppin St. (Nov. 3), 31 vs. San Francisco (Dec. 6) and a season-high 36 at Penn St. (Dec. 9).
  • As of Feb. 17, Gabby Elliott has two of the highest single-game steal totals in the Big 12: 8 vs. San Francisco, 7 vs. Coppin St.
  • In its win over Colorado (Dec. 21), ASU’s defense stepped up when it mattered most. After CU made its first three shots of the fourth quarter to pull within two points, 58-56, ASU forced CU into missing seven of its last nine shots and outscored CU 21-7 over the last 7:57 of the game.
  • In their eventual 68-61 win over Arizona on Jan. 28, the Sun Devils did not allow Arizona to go ahead or tie the score after taking a 54-53 lead with seven minutes remaining. In fact, ASU scored the game’s last six points while holding Arizona scoreless over the last 2:13 of the game.
  • ASU had a similar defensive stand in its 74-69 win over Oklahoma State on Feb. 4. After leading by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, the Cowgirls came back to get within a point, 57-56 with 6:40 remaining. Just like against Arizona, the Sun Devils guarded their advantage the rest of the way as the Cowgirls were not able to tie the game or take the lead.
  • Against Utah, the Sun Devils led for 38:31 of the game’s 40 minutes. The Utes were up 7-6 and 9-8 in the first quarter. Utah trailed 15-11 at the end of 10 minutes, got within two points in the second quarter, went to the half trailing ASU 33-30, tied the game at 39-39 and were within one point, 42-41, in the third quarter. After ASU took a 54-43 lead, the Utes pulled within four, 54-50, with 7:19 remaining. They were not able to draw any closer as ASU’s defense slammed the door shut, forcing Utah to miss seven of its last 10 shots.
  • In its two overtime games this season – W, 55-53 at Oregon State (Dec. 14), W, 75-69 at Arizona (Feb. 14) – ASU has held its opposition to a combined shooting percentage of 23.5 (4-17 FGs).

Home sweet home

ASU’s 68-45 win over UCF on Jan. 7 represented its 10th win at home this season (currently 14-1). The 2025-26 squad became the 28th in program history to win at least 10 home games going back to 1975-76. The 2014-15 team holds the record for most wins at home (16). The 2005-06 squad is the only team to go unbeaten at home (15-0). When playing at home this season ASU has... Outscored the opposition by an average of 13.9 ppg... Is shooting 8.9 percentage points higher.. Eight teams have scored less than 55 points.

Home away from home

Even when ASU is not playing in front of its fans at Desert Financial Arena, it has still performed at a high level as it is 7-5 on the road this season. It has already equaled its most road wins since 2018-19 (7-4). It still has a chance to become the first team since the 2018-19 squad to have a winning record on the road. 

  • Individually, Elliott (19.9 ppg, 41 pct 3FGs/5.3 rpg) and Brackens (15.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) have combined to average 35.7 ppg.
  • ASU’s five highest single-game individual scoring totals this season have all come on the road. Brackens: 31 points at Utah (Dec. 31) and 24 points at Arizona (Feb. 14) and Elliott 30 points at Gonzaga (Dec. 16), 27 points at Penn State (Dec. 9), 25 points at Baylor (Feb. 7) and 24 points at San Diego (Nov. 13). In the contest at San Diego, Elliott knocked down six 3-pointers, one short of tying the program record.
  • ASU is 6-2 this season in games decided by five points or less and/or OT, including 4-2 on the road: 55-53/OT at Oregon State (Dec. 14), 68-66 at Gonzaga (Dec. 16), 69-68 at Utah (Dec. 31), 75-69/OT at Arizona (Feb/ 14). Its only losses came at Cincinnati, 66-64 (Jan. 24) and at No. 15 Baylor, 67-64 (Feb. 7).

Team notes

  • ASU has the top two rebounding games by a Big 12 team this season: vs. Utah Tech (62) and vs. Santa Clara (59). Its rebounding effort vs. Utah Tech represented the third time in the last 25 years it had at least 60 rebounds in a game.
  • ASU has outscored the opposition by an average of 20.1-13.6 in points off turnovers this season.
  • ASU has scored 20 or more points in a quarter 29 times. Earlier this season, ASU scored 43 points in the second half of consecutive games – vs. Kansas State (Feb. 1) and vs. Oklahoma State (Feb. 4) – tying the second-highest point total in the second half this season.
  • In its win at San Diego (Nov. 13), ASU tied the single-game program record for 3-pointers (14). As of Feb. 17, ASU’s 63.6 percentage from beyond the arc in that game is the second-highest 3-point shooting percentage by a Big 12 team this season.
  • Six Sun Devils have led/tied for the team lead in scoring: Elliott (12x), Brackens (11x), Carrera (4x), Washenitz (1x), Williams (1x), LoVett (1x).
  • Seven Sun Devils have scored in double figures multiple times: Elliott (25x - including last 15 games), Brackens (22x), Carrera (12x), Washenitz (10x), LoVett (4x), Williams (4x) and Poa (2x).
  • Seven Sun Devils have led or tied for the team lead in rebounding: Brackens (13x), Carrera (8x), Elliott (6x), Deborah Davenport (4x), Washenitz (1x), Martina Fantini (1x) and Poa (1x).
  • Elliott, Carrera and Washenitz have started every game this season. Williams (three starts), LoVett and Davenport (two starts) have played in every game this season.

Individual player notes

  • Gabby Elliott scored a season-high 30 points in ASU’s win at Gonzaga (Dec 16). Two games later, McKinna Brackens topped that with a new career standard of 31 points at Utah (Dec. 31).
  • Elliott (10x), Brackens (7x) and Heloisa Carrera (4x) have combined to score 20 or more points 21x this season.
  • Four different players have posted double-doubles this season: Brackens (8), Carrera (3x), Elliott (1) and Poa (1).
  • Poa (10 assists vs. SEMO and vs. Coppin State) and Amaya Williams (11 assists at San Diego) have combined for three double-digit assist games this season. Williams’ 11 assists were the most for a Sun Devil in a single game since current graduate assistant Reili Richardson had 11 at Colorado State on Dec. 9, 2018. Poa hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining in overtime in ASU’s 55-53 win at Oregon State (Dec. 14).
  • Brackens’ second half (22 points) and fourth quarter (14 points) at Utah (Dec. 31) were reminiscent of what Elliott did at Gonzaga on Dec. 16. In that contest, Elliott scored 21 points in the second half with 17 of them coming in the final 10 minutes to lead ASU to a 68-66 win.
  • At Arizona (Feb. 14), Brackens scored 19 of her team-high 24 points in the 2nd half (10 points, including the game-tying bucket with 3.3 seconds remaining to send the game to OT) and overtime (nine points).

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.

This past August, ASU 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.

#HailMarley

Anyone who saw what turned out to be the game-winning 3-pointer made by Marley Washenitz in the Sun Devil women’s basketball team’s 56-53 win over UNLV on Nov. 22 – and is old enough to remember – might just have harkened back to the commercials of the early 90s that featured basketball Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Larry Bird challenging each other over and over again to make improbable shots, something like a game of H-O-R-S-E.

What shot would Washenitz have challenged her opponent to make on that Saturday? This is what came to be known as the #HailMarley: With only seconds remaining in the game, the shot clock about to expire, with her back to the basket, save the ball before it rolls out of bounds and – in the same motion – turn around and fling a left-handed 3-pointer off the glass. For Washenitz, who came into the game having scored in double figures in each of ASU’s first four games of the season, the improvisational shot was the first – and only – of her seven field goal attempts of the game that resulted in points.