Arizona State had just one game left to play in 2025. One more win and they could go into the new year with a sterling 15-0 record and a 2-0 start to Big 12 play. But standing in their way was a scrappy Utah team that had won seven in a row coming into today.
Early on, it was apparent this one was going to be a barn-burner. The Utes led 14-12 after a first quarter that saw seven lead changes, and the game kept going back and forth. The Sun Devils went on a scoring run late in the second quarter to help them eke out a 30-27 halftime lead, but the third quarter saw five more lead changes, ending with the Utes up by just one point.
The fourth quarter delivered on the drama that had been playing out all afternoon.
Utah hit two free throws to tie the game up with 3:08 left in the game. Then, Reese Ross fouled out for the Utes, and McKinna Brackens hit one of her two shots to put Arizona State up by one. Brackens added two more on the next possession, tipping a missed shot back in to extend the lead to three.
The teams traded free throws, keeping it a three-point game until Utah's Maty Wilke hit a deep jumper to tie things up 64-64 with just over a minute to go. A miss from Brackens led to a crafy assist and layup for Utah, putting them up by two.
After a timeout, Marley Washenitz drilled a corner three with a hand in her face - reminiscent of her late-game heroics earlier this season - to put Arizona State back on top by one with 29 seconds remaining.
Utah ran the clock down to 9 seconds before taking a timeout. Out of the break, LA Sneed drove to the hoop and drew a foul. She hit both free throws, retaking the lead by one with 3 seconds left. Molly Miller then called timeout to advance the ball, and she drew up a quick play that got Brackens a shot right at the hoop.
Brackens missed, but drew a foul in the process. With just 1.1 seconds left, Brackens drained both free throws, marking the 17th lead change in just the fourth quarter. A strong defensive possession on the ensuing inbounds play forced a 30+ foot jumper from Utah, which didn't even hit the backboard, and Arizona State secured the win.
Unsurprisingly, Brackens finished with the team lead in scoring, notching 31 points. She also added 7 rebounds in an all-around star performance. Washenitz and Gabby Elliott tied for second with 10 points. All three finished just one foul shy of being disqualified, but managed to play disciplined ball late in the game.
The win ties the program record for longest win streak at Arizona State, and Miller remains undefeated as the head coach in Tempe. They'll be off until Saturday, when they take on a stout BYU squad.