TEMPE – For the first time since the 1991-92 season, Arizona State has started the season 6-0.
The Sun Devils defeated Utah Tech 81-54 at Desert Financial Arena. Physicality, defensive prowess and ‘mebounds’ as designated by coach Molly Miller, led ASU to victory Tuesday night.
From the opening tip, junior forward McKinna Brackens took over for Arizona State.
Brackens was all over the floor offensively and registered another double-double to lead ASU in points, rebounds and blocks. She dominated from all three levels, but her 3-for-5 mark from beyond the arc helped elevate Arizona State to victory.
Additionally, the Sun Devils’ brand of defense was in full swing from the opening tip-off. At the end of the first half, the Sun Devils limited the Trailblazers to 21 points and forced them to take contested shots, leading Utah Tech to shoot 8-for-33 from the field. Early on, Miller and her squad challenged Utah Tech to shoot it from the 3-point line, which the Trailblazers struggled mightily from, going 0-for-15 from three in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, the Sun Devils kept the tenacity going from beyond the arc, pestering Utah Tech and limiting the Trailblazers to 18% and 5-for-28 from three.
Molly Miller preaches conditioning to ASU’s success in stopping teams from beyond the arc this year.
“It does not show up in the box score all the time,” Miller said. “But some of their misses are a little short, or they are not crashing the boards as much because we have worn them down in the fourth quarter … We are not in peak shape yet in November, but we are in good enough shape to do those things and sustain it for four quarters.”
Utah Tech could not match the physicality down low with the Sun Devils all night Tuesday.
The Sun Devils garnered 62 rebounds to the Trailblazers’ 36. Arizona State also registered more offensive boards with 23 compared to Utah Tech’s nine.
“We work on those in practice a lot,” Miller said. “We challenge almost every huddle break I break, and I am like, ‘you get an offensive rebound, and you get an offensive rebound,’ and those are really valuable. You have to make it a habit for when you do need those extra possessions.”
Arizona State also outclassed Utah Tech in the paint offensively. The Sun Devils scored 40 points in the paint to Utah Tech’s 26.
Still, the Sun Devil offense had its struggles. Arizona State shot 41% from the field, went 4-for-21 from 3-point range, had 15 turnovers and shot 69% from the free-throw line. However, its defense and strong offensive performances from its starters helped to seal the deal.
Along with Brackens in the frontcourt, sophomore forward Heloisa Carrera went 6-for-9 from the field, tacking on 12 points and nine rebounds to be the team’s third leading scorer. Freshman center Martina Fantini had her best game for the Maroon and Gold, garnering nine rebounds, four of which came on the offensive glass.
In the backcourt, the experience took over for the Sun Devils.
Senior guards Gabby Elliott, Last-Tear Poa and Marley Washenitz made key contributions. Elliott collected nine rebounds and scored 16 points, while Poa was 3-for-6 from the field. Despite hurting her ankle, Poa remained a huge defensive presence for the Sun Devils. Next to them in the backcourt, Washenitz built on her historic game-winner last game, scoring eight points and once again bringing a noteworthy defensive presence.
Elliott has seen the growth of freshman guard Amaya Williams, who had a solid game Tuesday, shooting 5-for-9 with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists to help ASU secure victory.
“I think she is coming a long way,” Elliott said. I know that she can be very good, and I hope that everybody else can see that too. I feel like she is getting more and more confident, and every bucket that drops for her is just going to help us in the long run.”
The Arizona State Sun Devils will look to keep the momentum going when they face Little Rock on Nov. 28 at 10:30 a.m. MST at home in Desert Financial Arena.
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