Arizona State women’s basketball completely rebuilt its team this offseason, with a new head coach in Molly Miller and 10 new players added. It seemed like the only thing staying consistent with the Sun Devils was the hardwood under their feet and the rims they were shooting on.
On Saturday afternoon, the new-look roster was on full display, proving all the hard work that the new coaching staff put into finding transfer-portal talent was worth it. Transfers led ASU in all three major statistical categories as the Sun Devils easily marched past Eastern Washington, 73-58.
“Experience was something we wanted to hit hard on in this recruiting class in the portal,” said Coach Miller. “Proven college players that could come in, fit the system, understand what hard work looks like at this level.”
Fifth-year senior guard and Penn State transfer Gabby Elliott led the Sun Devils in scoring with 15 points. Elliott also reached a major career milestone on Saturday, scoring her 1,000th collegiate point.
“Not a lot of people make it to 1,000, especially with my story,” Elliott said, emotional in her postgame press conference.
Elliott is at her third school in five collegiate seasons and has battled two season-ending injuries, including a torn ACL.
“I know that was big for her,” said Miller. “That’s a lot of resilience and perseverance in that kid… but that 1,000 mark, that club’s elite, and so now she’s one of the elite.”
Joining Elliott at the top of the stat sheet was fellow transfer, senior guard Marley Washenitz. The Pitt transfer was brought in to hopefully be one of the Sun Devils’ top scoring options, but it was her rebounding that stood out on Saturday, leading the team with seven.
Washenitz was also ASU’s second leading scorer, with 14 points. Combined with her great rebounding performance, the senior truly had a complete game. But Washenitz felt that she left something on the court after Saturday’s game: her free-throw shooting. She shot 5-for-9 from the line, an underwhelming 55 percent.
Washenitz stayed after the game to put some shots up from the line. The stadium had completely emptied out. She was one of the last to leave.
“We’re going to shoot a lot of free throws in the coming practices,” Coach Miller said.
Collectively, the Sun Devils shot 13-26 (50%) from the line.
Despite only being two games into the season, the injury bug has already hit ASU in a key way. Fifth-year senior and LSU transfer Last-Tear Poa was sidelined against Eastern Washington due to a hand injury. Poa set her career high last game against Coppin State, notching 10 assists.
Without Poa, ASU needed someone to step up and playmake for teammates.
Luckily for the Sun Devils, another one of their transfer portal additions rose to the occasion.
Junior forward and UNLV transfer McKinna Brackens had 5 assists, tying a career high and also leading the team.
“I’m very proud of her,” junior teammate, guard Jyah Lovett said. “She was doing all the little dirty work. She was in every play, hand on the ball, keeping the ball in bounds, keeping the play alive, and just doing what we need her to do.”
Transfers had their handprints all over ASU’s win. The Sun Devils’ next test comes on the road, as they travel west to face San Diego on Thursday.
