On February 14, 2026, the Arizona State Sun Devils beat the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson through hard work and a good second-half push to secure the win 75–69. The victory gave Arizona State its major season sweep over its in-state rival since the 2018-19 season and also increased its standing in the play of the Big 12.
First Half: A Defensive Game of Chess
The physical defense and few scoring opportunities characterized the opening 20 minutes. The first quarter saw Arizona lead 17–13 as ASU struggled to find a rhythm on offense.
The second quarter saw the Sun Devils responding by moving the ball more and going to the paint. A two-pointer was reviewed late in the game and changed to a three-pointer, and as a result, ASU would go to halftime at a tie of 30-30.
Second Half: Momentum Shifts
Arizona took a very short lead in the first part of the third quarter, but accumulated a lead of eight points. The answer of Arizona State was composed. Gabby Elliott scored at the right time to stabilize the offense, and Last-Tear Poa organized the offense and maintained the pace.
Defensively, the Sun Devils raised their intensity. McKinna Brackens dominated the glass, which limited ASU's chances of a second, and assisted in determining the outcome of the last few minutes.
Closing Strong
Arizona State's defense was the difference-maker as the game got tight towards the end. The Sun Devils were able to close the stretch by locking out the Wildcats, and they had no points in the remaining minutes to win the six-point gap.
The win brought Arizona State to 21 wins seasonally and 8-6 in conference. The victory over a competitor twice on the road underscores the resiliency of the Sun Devils as they prepare to attend the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.