Tempe, AZ — Arizona State responded exactly as it needed to on Wednesday night, delivering a gritty 74–69 victory over Oklahoma State in the program’s annual Pink Game, just days after suffering its first home loss of the season.
Fueled by another explosive second half, the Sun Devils poured in 43 points after halftime for the second straight game and executed down the stretch to improve to 5–1 in contests decided by five points or fewer.
The win pushed Arizona State to 19–5 overall and 6–5 in Big 12 play, lifting the Sun Devils back into the middle of the conference standings. ASU now sits in a three-way tie for seventh place alongside Iowa State and Colorado, trailing Oklahoma State and Utah by one game in the race for fifth.
Standout performances
Freshman Deborah Davenport delivered a breakout performance off the bench, posting career highs across the board with 18 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and three 3-pointers. Her energy and versatility proved pivotal in swinging momentum in Arizona State’s favor.
Gabby Elliott ignited the offense in the second half, scoring all 17 of her points after intermission while shooting efficiently from both the field and the free-throw line. McKinna Brackens was dominant on the interior, recording a 20-point, 18-rebound double-double while scoring evenly across both halves.
Last-Tear Poa orchestrated the offense with a game-high six assists to go along with six points, while Marley Washenitz contributed across the stat sheet with six points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Heloisa Carrera anchored the defense, matching her career high with three blocks.
How the game unfolded
Arizona State’s defense disrupted one of the nation’s most potent offenses. Oklahoma State entered the night ranked among the national leaders in 3-point production, scoring, and field-goal percentage, but struggled to find rhythm against the Sun Devils. The Cowgirls were limited to 69 points, shot just 31.9 percent from the field, and connected on only 22.2 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc.
The Sun Devils countered with efficient shooting, hitting 45.5 percent from the floor, knocking down seven 3-pointers, and generating consistent offense at the foul line, where they converted 17 free throws.
The opening quarter featured a defensive grind, with both teams missing their first several attempts. Arizona State found its footing late in the period with a brief scoring surge, but Oklahoma State carried a narrow 14–13 edge into the second quarter.
Despite continued shooting struggles, the Sun Devils stayed afloat by attacking the basket and capitalizing at the line, eventually taking a 31–29 halftime lead. Davenport continued to shine in the second quarter, helping ASU get crucial production from its bench.
Arizona State seized control midway through the third quarter, using a 7–2 run to stretch its lead into double digits. When Oklahoma State rallied late and trimmed the deficit to a single point in the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils remained poised, locking down defensively and executing offensively to preserve the lead and close out the win.
Up Next:
Arizona State heads back to Texas for a marquee matchup at No. 15 Baylor on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CST (4 p.m. MST), with national coverage on FS1.
