If Year 1 of the Molly Miller-Becky Burke saga in the Territorial Cup is an indication of things to come, this rivalry is going to get cranked up a few notches in the coming years.
All three matchups have been absolute rock fights – back and forth, physical battles that came down to the final minutes.
Arizona State took all three wins when they squared off, but Arizona was right there each time. In Tucson, it came down to overtime. In their final matchup at the Big 12 tournament, Arizona missed a shot that would have tied the game as the clock struck zero.
The win means Arizona State’s postseason hopes remain alive. Entering the day, they were among the first four teams out of the bracket. They’ll need another win against Iowa State, and potentially another to solidify their postseason resumé.
The Devils battled foul trouble throughout the game. Gabby Elliott and McKinna Brackens, who combined for 31 points a night this year, mustered nine against the Wildcats on Wednesday. The Devils’ only double-figures scorer was sophomore El Carrera, who led the game with 16 points and five boards.
But Arizona State found a way to advance by beating Arizona in the paint, outscoring the Wildcats 36-18 in that area.
Barring entering a postseason tournament, Arizona’s season could have ended on Wednesday, but the foundation has been laid. The Wildcats will need to replace point guard Lani Cornfield, Nora Francois and shooting guard Mickey Perdue, who was out due to injury for the second half of the season.
But head coach Becky Burke has found success on the recruiting trail with commits including Jasleen Green – who just eclipsed 2,000 points scored in her career, Chandler native Callie Hinder, Priyanka Ponnam and Makayla Presser-Palmer. Green and Presser-Palmer landed in the 2026 SportsCenter NEXT 100 for the 2026 class.
Burke was also the last Power 4 coach hired in last year’s cycle. With a full offseason and time to attack the portal, the coaching staff can build off of the Year 1 foundation.
As the Devils continue to fight in Kansas City and Arizona heads back to Tucson, there’s no doubt foundations are begin set with both programs.
