Arizona State women’s basketball was close to helping its chances as a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament, but again fell victim to BYU’s shooting and suffered a 66-61 loss on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
The Sun Devils (22-8, 9-8 in Big 12) led for more than 26 minutes at Desert Financial Arena, but BYU hit three consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter and used that momentum for the rest of the game.
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“We have to have that urgency and we can’t take our foot off the gas,” coach Molly Miller said. “We looked tired out there a little bit and you got to dig deep in these moments. It’s been a long season and everyone is tired and banged up a little bit.”
Miller added that her two best players, Gabby Elliott and McKinna Brackens, weren’t hitting the shots they usually hit in the second half and were a combined 4-of-17 (23.5%).
ASU Sun Devils head coach Molly Miller talks to her team during a timeout in their game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Feb. 1, 2026.
“That’s the biggest thing with this team that we don’t quite have that piece (making shots),” Miller said. “We can play as hard as we want, but at this level, you can’t score 61 (points) in a game and expect to win.”
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It wasn’t until Jyah LoVett went to the line that it got interesting for ASU. Marley Washenitz made it a three-point game with 41.4 seconds left when she scored off her steal following LoVett’s free throws.
ASU needed a stop in BYU’s next possession, but didn’t have forward Heloisa Carrera on the floor for size advantage after she fouled out. BYU’s Olivia Hamlin found an opening for her jumper and widened the lead to five points with 13.8 seconds left.
The Sun Devils went 1-of-7 on field goals in the final stretch and couldn’t seize the game.
Brackens led ASU with 16 points on 4-of-16 shooting, and had five rebounds. Carrera added 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting, with six rebounds.
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ASU led by one point after the first quarter, but still faced a tough glass game from BYU and was outrebounded by five.
But the Sun Devils found their best defensive effort in the second quarter and went on an 8-0 run. ASU was more aggressive on the boards during that stretch before Hamlin broke the scoring drought with a 3-pointer with 5:32 left.
The press didn’t allow BYU to gain momentum off Hamlin’s 3 as the Cougars shot a just 2-of-12 (16.7%) in the quarter, while ASU shot 6-of-13 (46.2%) and benefited from Heloisa Carrera’s six points.
What worked for ASU’s defense in the second quarter didn’t show up in the third quarter. ASU was caught flat-footed several times and BYU put up five 3-pointers on nine attempts. The Cougars finished with 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%), while ASU shot 4-of-12 (33.3%).
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“That’s a scenario when adversity faces, you got to dig deep and grind out possessions,” Miller said. “We felt good going into halftime and we knew they were probably going to throw that matchup zone and we talked about it, but it definitely slowed our rhythm down and our pace.”
BYU’s zone was relentless against ASU in the third, forcing five turnovers in the 5:30 of the quarter that ultimately gave the Cougars a four-point lead. Hamlin’s 3-pointer that gave BYU its first lead in 26 minutes was off a turnover.
ASU’s chances to make the NCAA Tournament aren’t over, but the team will have a harder road to earn a spot. The Sun Devils will need to win at No. 20 Texas Tech for the regular season finale on March 1, or win one game in the upcoming Big 12 Tournament.
“That’s a basketball game against really good players, so we’re going to have to bring our A game and have to defend. This team isn’t going to outscore other teams, especially a team like Texas Tech,” Miller said. “They’re an offensive firepower. We talked about 10 wins this conference season and we still have an opportunity to do that. I’ve got a good group that will bounce back if we want it. Now is our chance to steal it on the road.”
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Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU women’s basketball squanders chance vs BYU
