(Photo credit: Sierra Watson/WCSN)
TEMPE — Sitting at just 2-14 in the month of February during head coach Natasha Adair’s three-year tenure thus far, Arizona State women’s basketball entered 2025’s second month looking to change its end-of-season trajectory.
Saturday against BYU, not only did the Sun Devils’ February woes carry into 2025, but ASU also dropped its eighth consecutive game.
Even after finding the offensive momentum to bring the game within 10 points, Arizona State (8-15, 2-9 Big 12 Conference) fell short 77-67 against a potent BYU Cougars (11-10, 2-8 Big 12) offense that out-shot the Sun Devils the entirety of Saturday night’s contest.
“This stings, it’s not okay,” Adair said. “We don’t go in that locker room and say this is okay because we had another opportunity that we let get away.”
27 of the Cougars’ points came from beyond the arc on 36% shooting from distance. Arizona State struggled to defend the perimeter against a BYU squad that consistently hunted for 3-point looks and ultimately released 25 shots from range.
Consistent 3-point shooting also helped the Cougars find open looks on the interior, leading to a 45% conversion rate on field goals for the evening.
While BYU’s offense stood strong throughout the game, the Sun Devils struggled to find their footing in the early going, scoring 31 points on 35% shooting from the field in the first half.
Beginning midway through the third quarter, Arizona State established an offensive rhythm, playing up-tempo. The Sun Devils began pushing the ball inside to graduate center Neveah Parkinson, who finished the game with a team-high 17 points.
15 of Parkinson’s points came in the second half, which she attributed to her patience and belief in herself.
“In the first half, I think I came out a little flat, and then Coach Adair told me that they were just walling up with me, so I had to be patient,” Parkinson said. “Once you’re patient, you see a lot of things opening.”
As Parkinson demanded more defensive attention, Arizona State’s guards found ways to the basket and the free throw line.
Junior guard Jalyn Brown added nine of her 13 total points during this stretch by attacking downhill and converting layups. The Baltimore native was instrumental to Parkinson’s success in the paint, as she consistently looked for her center inside during the second half and earned a team-high six assists.
Brown’s efforts also drew multiple BYU fouls, part of a larger Sun Devil effort to claw back into the game. Arizona State tallied 14-of-16 free throw attempts throughout the second half, cutting a 17-point deficit to eight with seven minutes left to play.
That was as close as Arizona State would bring the score, as it went 4-of-11 from the field in the final seven minutes while BYU matched nearly every score the Sun Devils could muster.
Now over halfway through conference play, Arizona State has seven games remaining before the Big 12 Tournament. For Adair and her team’s NCAA Tournament aspirations, it is increasingly important to capitalize on the remaining opportunities this season.
“No disrespect to BYU, but we talked about being ready the next time we have an opportunity, but we’re running out of opportunities,” Adair said. “So go time is now.”
