Brackens’ Effort Against Former School Crucial for Undefeated Sun Devils

On an afternoon overshadowed by senior guard Marley Washenitz’s improbable game-winning three-pointer with four seconds left against UNLV, junior forward McKinna Brackens’ contributions were the biggest reason the Sun Devils stayed undefeated.

Brackens’ production in ASU’s 56-53 win helped the Sun Devils move to 5-0 on the season, as she followed up her 23-point, 11-rebound effort against Santa Clara last week by compiling her second-straight double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

ASU’s focus entering this game involved Brackens even more than usual: the forward transferred from UNLV this past offseason, where she spent her first two years.

“Nobody wants to lose to their old team,” Brackens said. “Obviously, I wanted to play good, but ultimately I just wanted to win.”

Despite a slow first quarter, Brackens picked up her scoring with the Sun Devils down early. The junior shot just 1-5 in the opening period but went 9-12 the rest of the way, ending an efficient 10-17 from the field and 3-5 from distance for the game. With the Lady Rebels keyed in on slowing down senior guard Gabby Elliott, Brackens was the beneficiary.

“How they were guarding her set her up for success because she can score at all three levels,” head coach Molly Miller said. “So in the beginning they’re really sagging off of her so we’re taking her to that high post, and I’m like ‘shoot it if you’ve got it.’”

Brackens earned the defense’s respect by canning those open threes, allowing her to “shot fake and drive” or rely on her “turnaround jumper in the mid-post.”

The junior scored nearly half of ASU’s points in the second and third quarter; of the Sun Devils’ 34 points in those two frames, Brackens had 16 to keep the Maroon and Gold afloat.

“To be able to manipulate where we put her and plug her in, that’s just a testament to her multi-tool asset, and she’s really good, she’s savvy, she’s smart,” Miller mentioned.

Brackens’ energy wasn’t just limited to the offensive end either. Defensively, the Texas native was able to move her feet on the perimeter and limit drives, and she also led the way for the Sun Devils with seven defensive boards. Brackens accounted for three of ASU’s eight offensive rebounds and was a factor on the glass all night despite playing 39 minutes.

“Honestly, I’m starting to get used to it,” Brackens said. “But there were some times I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m tired.’”

The junior’s effort and consistency on both sides of the court have made her a mainstay in the starting lineup for Miller, and further performances like these can only raise the Sun Devils’ ceiling.