ASU Women's Basketball Secures Tucson Victory

McKinna Brackens, Gabby Elliott and Heloisa Carrera lead Sun Devils to sweep of rival Wildcats

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Arizona State women's basketball team defeated the University of Arizona Wildcats 75-69 in overtime on Saturday at McKale Center in Tucson. Junior forward McKinna Brackens scored a team-high 24 points, including a crucial jumper to send the game to overtime, while guard Gabby Elliott added 22 points despite playing through an injury. Forward Heloisa Carrera recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Why it matters

This victory marks the first time since the 2017-18 season that the Sun Devils have swept their in-state rivals, the Wildcats, and won at the notoriously tough McKale Center. The win also makes ASU coach Molly Miller the winningest first-year coach in program history with 21 victories, as the team looks to secure a spot in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

The details

In the final seconds of regulation, with ASU trailing by two points, Brackens received the inbound pass and confidently drove to the basket to hit a game-tying jumper and send the game to overtime. In the extra period, Brackens sealed the victory by hitting two free throws in the final seconds. Elliott, who left the game early due to an injury, returned to play a key role in overtime, showcasing her toughness. Carrera recorded her third double-double of the season to provide a strong interior presence.

  • With 6 seconds left in regulation, ASU trailed by 2 points.
  • With 47 seconds left in regulation, Brackens committed a turnover that gave Arizona the lead.
  • In overtime, Brackens hit two free throws with 18 seconds left to put the game out of reach.

The players

McKinna Brackens

A junior forward for the Arizona State women's basketball team who led the team with 24 points, including a crucial game-tying jumper in the final seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime.

Gabby Elliott

A guard for the Arizona State women's basketball team who finished with 22 points in 36 minutes of action, despite leaving the game early due to an injury and returning to play a key role in overtime.

Heloisa Carrera

A forward for the Arizona State women's basketball team who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, her third double-double of the season.

Molly Miller

The head coach of the Arizona State women's basketball team, who became the winningest first-year coach in program history with 21 victories after this win.

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What they’re saying

“She had that (moment) where she drove baseline and it went off her knee, so you could tuck your tail and feel sorry for yourself. Or you could rise up and make a bucket to send us into overtime and she picked the latter.”

— Molly Miller, Head Coach, Arizona State Women's Basketball (azpbs.org)

“If you were to know what she goes through on a daily basis in her pain management, she is as tough as they come. When she gets to the game, she's hurting, but you would never know that. She's just a tough kid and that trickles down to our whole team.”

— Molly Miller, Head Coach, Arizona State Women's Basketball (azpbs.org)

What’s next

The Sun Devils have four crucial games remaining, including road contests at Iowa State and Texas Tech, as they look to secure a spot in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

The takeaway

This victory showcases the leadership and resilience of the Arizona State women's basketball team, as they overcame adversity and a tough road environment to sweep their in-state rivals for the first time in nearly a decade. The Sun Devils' performance demonstrates their potential to make a deep postseason run.