Tempe, Ariz. – In a clinic of suffocating defense and opportunistic scoring, the Arizona State Sun Devils women’s basketball team dismantled the Little Rock Trojans 59-41 on
November 28, 2025, at Desert Financial Arena, extending their perfect record to 7-0.
What began as a gritty first-quarter tussle—ASU trailing 9-10 after 10 minutes—quickly turned into a rout as the Sun Devils clamped down, holding Little Rock to a dismal 27.1% from the field and just 24 second-half points.
Coach Jacy Sheldon called it “our best defensive effort yet,” crediting the team’s length and communication for forcing 18 Trojans turnovers.
Freshman sensation Amaya Williams stole the show off the bench, erupting for a career-high 18 points on blistering 8-of-10 shooting, including a perfect 1-of-1 from beyond the arc. The guard added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 30 minutes, dropping 10 points in the first half alone to spark ASU’s surge.
“She’s been waiting for this breakout,” Sheldon said postgame. “Her efficiency opened everything up.” Williams’ hot hand complemented starter McKinna Brackens, who notched 11 points and a game-high six rebounds—her third straight outing leading the boards—while Marley Washenitz contributed nine points, three assists, and a team-best three steals, including seven points in the pivotal second quarter.
The bench proved decisive, outscoring Little Rock’s reserves 28-15, with Jyah LoVett (four points, two steals), Martina Fantini (four points), and Timya Grice (two points) providing timely sparks. Heloisa Carrera grabbed five boards to go with six points, and Gabby Elliott added five points and four rebounds.
ASU’s starters set the tone early, but it was the collective defensive swarm—led by Washenitz’s disruptions—that sealed the deal, limiting Little Rock grad transfer Jordan Holman to 21 points on inefficient shooting despite her seven rebounds and three triples.
For the Trojans (1-4), Holman’s heroics kept it close initially, but ASU’s physicality overwhelmed them. Little Rock coach Steve Wiedower lauded his squad’s fight:
“ASU’s coach said we’re the toughest they’ve faced—defense was our identity tonight.” Yet, the Sun Devils’ poise prevailed, turning turnovers into transition buckets and building a 32-21 halftime lead they never relinquished.
This win caps a grueling back-to-back for Little Rock and sends ASU into their next matchup riding high, with Williams emerging as a must-watch freshman.
In a season of statement games, the Devils’ defensive identity is crystalizing—just don’t blink, or you’ll miss the next breakout star.
