SAN DIEGO – Every time Arizona State nailed a 3-pointer, its bench leaped into a frenzy of excitement and celebration. Fueled by that energy and a defense that never let up pressure, the Sun Devils rolled past San Diego.
ASU head Coach Molly Miller eclipsed her 300th career win after the road tilt, a milestone that defines her as a culture-builder in women’s college basketball. Miller showcased her trademark defense on Thursday, Nov. 13, as the Sun Devils defeated USD 79-47, moving to 3-0.
Miller reflected on her journey to Thursday’s milestone.
“You need a village around you,” Miller said about the milestone. “I’ve had the best people. It’s a reflection of the past, but also what’s to come with great people, too.”
From the opening tip, ASU dictated the pace with electric 3-point shooting. The Sun Devils finished the game with an impressive 64% clip from behind the arc, accounting for 42 of the team’s 79 points.
The catalyst of the offensive explosion: fifth-year transfer guard Gabby Elliott.
Elliott ended her first road game with the Sun Devils as the leading scorer with 24 points off an 8-14 clip. The former Penn State Nittany Lion sank six threes and led the team in rebounds with seven.
Gabby Elliot on Nov. 13, 2025
“My teammates just gave me the ball where they needed to,” Elliott said. “I was just doing my part tonight. First road win and we’re trying to stack up more.”
Miller praised her veteran guard's effort.
“She’s got a green light because she does it in all facets of the game,” Miller said. “She’s a weapon out there and we’re using her.”
Senior guard Marley Washenitz also continued her hot start to the season with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. The first-year Sun Devil has averaged 15 ½ points in 27 1/2 minutes so far this season.
Washenitz also led ASU’s bench, providing much-needed energy. Miller’s famous “benergy” or bench energy was on full display, led by Washenitz.
“It’s (bench energy) really important for our program,” Miller said. “They’re selfless, they root for each other, and they show their love on and off the court to each other. That’s a pretty special team.”
With the news of fifth-year guard Last-Tear Poa’s injury, missing the last two games, other guards down the depth chart got key minutes. None was more important than California native and freshman guard Amaya Williams.
Williams showed no signs of nervousness during her road debut as a Sun Devil. The playmaker tallied 11 assists with only three turnovers, proving to be a consistent offensive general for ASU.
Amaya Williams on Nov. 13, 2025
“It was amazing,” Williams said. “My teammates were hitting all of their shots. It was like bang, bang, bang, bang.”
Nine different players recorded at least two points in the total team win. The Sun Devils displayed a brand of unselfish basketball in America's Finest City, ending with 25 total assists.
On the other side of the ball, numerous turnover instances led to easy baskets. ASU ended up forcing 20 turnovers and gained 22 points off of those turnovers.
Williams also led the charge on the defensive side with four steals, and Washenitz added two to the total. This tenacity played into Miller’s historic defensive strategies, and ASU never let up, leading to a 29% shooting clip for San Diego.
The California road trip continues with ASU traveling just north to the bay to take on Santa Clara Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. MST.
“They’re (Santa Clara) a really good basketball team,” Miller said, “We’ve got to regroup. Obviously, this road trip is a different cadence for us … It’s all about flipping over to the next page.”