ASU stuns Arizona in overtime as record crowd fuels heated rivalry
Arizona State navigated a raucous McKale Center and a host of in-game obstacles to beat Arizona 75-69 in overtime on Feb. 14 (ET), handing the Wildcats a painful home loss and keeping ASU’s postseason case alive. The finish at Tucson’s arena underscored how the u of a basketball rivalry has recharged under new coaching staffs and energized fanbases.
Attendance, atmosphere and the rivalry
Fans turned out in force — 8, 766 were on hand — creating one of the loudest environments the Sun Devils have faced this season. The crowd’s intensity was a factor from the opening tip, lifting the visiting team when stretches of the game tilted Arizona’s way and fueling momentum swings late in regulation and into overtime.
How the game played out
The Sun Devils held leads in the second half and led by as many as six in the fourth quarter, but Arizona answered with a 10-0 run that briefly put the Wildcats ahead by two possessions. ASU struggled with shotmaking down the stretch and saw two guards foul out, forcing rotation changes. The decisive sequence late in regulation saw Sumayah Sugapong commit a foul on Gabby Elliott’s 3-point try with 37. 7 seconds remaining; Elliott made two of three free throws and ASU hunted one last look. With 6. 8 seconds left, ASU drew up options and McKinna Brackens — often most efficient in the midrange — knocked down a go-ahead shot to force overtime. Brackens then took over in the extra period, scoring eight of her game-high 24 points in OT to close the game for the visitors.
Key performers
McKinna Brackens was instrumental for ASU, contributing both scoring and defensive presence down the stretch and in overtime. Gabby Elliott battled through a lower-body scare in the first quarter, returned in the second and finished with 22 points in 36 minutes. For Arizona, guard Lani Cornfield supplied a major offensive lift with 24 points and six assists, and Sumayah Sugapong finished with 23 points, four rebounds and four steals. Despite those individual efforts, Arizona’s ball security issues and late-game execution proved costly.
Turnovers, foul trouble and the depth test
Turnovers loomed large early for Arizona — the Wildcats amassed 15 giveaways by halftime before tightening up to just five turnovers in the second half. On the other side, ASU lost guards Jyah LoVett and Marley Washenitz to fouls late in regulation, a development that forced bench players into expanded roles. Makayla Moore, returning after a long absence, inserted energy during Elliott’s early exit and even drew an offensive foul that erased an Arizona possession. Those depth moments underscored how resilience and situational poise factored into the outcome.
Postgame stakes and what it means next
The victory gives ASU its first win in Tucson in years and completes a season sweep of the rival program, boosting the Sun Devils’ resume to 21-6 overall and 8-6 in conference play. Coach Molly Miller framed the result as a learning experience for postseason scenarios, noting the value of composure in hostile arenas. For Arizona, the loss is a reminder that turnovers and late-game decisions can swing marquee matchups and that the rebuilding process under the current coaching staff still has sharp lessons to teach.
Both teams now turn toward the final stretch of the regular season with postseason positioning on the line, and the renewed intensity around the rivalry suggests future meetings will continue to draw big crowds and dramatic finishes.
