Molly Miller’s ASU Women Open With 84-41 Rout of Jackson State in Season Opener

Arizona State women’s basketball opened the Molly Miller era’s second season with a statement. The Sun Devils beat Jackson State 84-41 on Monday night, Nov. 2, 2026, at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, according to Sun Devil Athletics, Sports Illustrated and Cronkite News.

A slow start, then a blowout

Jackson State looked ready early. The Tigers led 8-0 and 11-2 in the first four-plus minutes, Sun Devil Athletics said. Miller told reporters the nerves of a first home crowd were real—and that she expected a tight stretch to open the night.

Then the Sun Devils flipped the game. After Heloisa Carrera’s layup cut the deficit to 11-4, ASU outscored Jackson State 82-30 the rest of the way, the athletic department recap said. McKinna Brackens’ layup with 6:15 left in the first quarter sparked a stretch in which ASU made seven of its next eight shots. Carrera’s fourth make broke an 11-11 tie, and ASU never trailed again.

The final margin reached as high as 47 points, Cronkite News reported. Jackson State’s 41 points tied the fewest scored by a Sun Devil opponent dating to the 2025-26 season and were the fewest since a 72-40 win over Idaho State on Nov. 19, 2023, per Sun Devil Athletics.

Who stood out for Molly Miller’s team

ASU got balanced scoring and a paint-first identity:

Carrera and Brackens combined for 24 of their 29 points before halftime, Sun Devil Athletics said. Lower, a freshman, shook off early misses from deep and finished 5-for-12 from three in her collegiate debut, Cronkite News and SI reported. Miller praised that “next-shot” mentality: keep shooting even after a cold start.

Newcomer Ruby Whitehorn and Jones each handed out six assists. ASU’s 26 assists were the most in any game under Miller, the school said, against only 12 turnovers. The Sun Devils also outrebounded Jackson State 51-29, including 20 offensive boards (Cronkite), and scored 38 points in the paint to the Tigers’ 12 (SI).

Energy first, talent second

Miller spent the offseason preaching energy. On opening night she framed the win around being the aggressor on the glass.

“Every 50-50 ball is 100% ours,” Miller said, according to SI and Cronkite News. “If there’s a ball bouncing on the ground, we’re going to go get it.”

She also drew a contrast with her first season: last year ASU had to grind because talent was thinner; this year the roster is more talented, but she does not want the competitive edge to slip. Cronkite noted ASU returned only four players and leaned on transfers and freshmen—Whitehorn, Lower, Jones and others—to carry Miller’s system forward.

The second half sealed it. ASU outscored Jackson State 50-20 after the break, shooting 58% overall and 53% from three in the final 20 minutes, Sun Devil Athletics said. Jackson State’s 20 second-half points were the fewest ASU has allowed in a half under Miller.

What the win means for ASU’s start

Under Miller, ASU is now 14-0 in nonconference regular-season games. Last season the Sun Devils went 13-0 in November and December and opened 15-0, the best start in program history, the athletic department noted. Monday’s 84 points also ranked among ASU’s higher outputs of recent seasons.

Next up: Northern Arizona at home on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. MST (Salute to Service night), Cronkite and Sun Devil Athletics said—a quick turnaround to see whether the aggressor identity travels into game two.

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