TUCSON — Arizona State women’s basketball and McKinna Brackens weathered a near collapse to Arizona, and instead won 75-69 in overtime on Saturday, Feb. 14, at McKale Center at ALKEME Arena.
The Sun Devils led by as many as six points in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats went on a 10-0 run to take a two-possession lead. ASU struggled to make shots down the stretch and keep its composure with guards Jyah LoVett and Marley Washenitz fouling out.
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Arizona’s run ended when guard Sumayah Sugapong fouled Gabby Elliott on her 3-point attempt with 37.7 seconds left. Elliott made two of her three free throws, keeping ASU behind by one possession.
Coach Molly Miller called a timeout with 6.8 seconds left for ASU’s last shot. Brackens sank a midrange jumper to send the game to overtime.
Brackens was instrumental in overtime for ASU, having a hand in almost every play. Brackens scored eight of her 24 points in overtime.
ASU had a scare with 7:45 left in the first quarter when Elliott went down with a lower-body injury. ASU’s leading scorer was assessed for several minutes before heading into the locker room. Makayla Moore, who played in one game since her two-month absence due to injury, took over Elliott’s spot.
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Moore impacted the court in different ways in her 4 minutes, including drawing an offensive foul from guard Tanyel Welch, which took away Arizona’s possession.
Elliott returned early in the second quarter and finished with 22 points.
The Sun Devils looked overwhelmed in the first quarter, allowing seven field goals on 11 attempts from Arizona. The Wildcats caught ASU flatfooted and took advantage, scoring nine points off ASU’s seven turnovers. ASU only managed four points from Arizona’s eight miscues.
With the full group back in the second, ASU’s defense stiffened, and Arizona made one shot in eight attempts in the first five minutes.
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ASU’s 3-point shooting looked good against Utah with seven makes, but had a rough start with one 3 on six attempts. The Sun Devils settled down more in the second and went 3 of 4, tying the score at halftime.
The Sun Devils will travel to Iowa State on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m.
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 mounts comeback at Arizona
