TEMPE– Although Arizona State women’s basketball has just five returning players on its roster, it was the familiar front court duo of senior forwards Helios Carrera and McKinna Brackens who stole the show. 

Carrera and Brackens combined for 29 points and 17 rebounds during Arizona State’s 84-41 victory over Jackson State. 

Dominance in the paint

“Our main thing in games is to dominate in the paint,” Carrera said. “And you saw (after we began to dominate) our shooters started hitting threes. It’s great for our team.” 

Brackens scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Carrera scored 15 points and snagged nine boards. The duo was ASU’s two returning starters from the 2025-26 season and combined for 26 of ASU’s 34 points in the first half. 

ASU also outscored Jackson State 38-12 in the paint and outrebounded Jackson State 51-29. 

In the 2025-26 season the Sun Devils exceeded expectations going 24-11 and getting a bid in the NCAA tournament in Molly Miller’s first year as head coach. However, Miller believes this group to be even more talented than the previous years. 

“The antithesis of last year was we had to work really hard and I don’t believe we were the most talented team,” Miller said. “This year we’re pretty talented but we can’t let our edge suffer because of that.” 

Contributions from new faces

The Sun Devils starting lineup featured three new guards in the backcourt. Those being senior transfer from Tennessee Ruby Whitehorn, senior transfer from Michigan State Rashunda Jones and true freshman Averie Lower. 

Lower started her collegiate career 0-4 before making her first three of her career in the second quarter. After that moment Lower heated up finishing the game tied for the Sun Devils leading scorer with 15 points, all from beyond the arc, while also snagging five rebounds.

“I was a little fluttery in the beginning, but my nerves settled eventually,” Lower said. “I just had to remember that my shot is good and to trust myself.” 

Whitehorn averaged 11.6 points and four rebounds in her 2024-25 season with Tennessee. However, she did not play in the 25-26 season due to being dismissed from the Tennessee women’s basketball team following two separate arrests. 

Whitehorn got her first regular season basket since March 3, 2025, in the second quarter after starting the game 0-3. 

She finally found her rhythm in the third quarter where she had four assists in that period alone. Including one when she picked up a loose ball, dribbled through three Jackson State defenders and dished it out to sophomore guard Ella Ryan for a three. 

Whitehorn finished the game with eight points and six assists while shooting 3-9 from the field. 

“I think they did a good job of taking away Ruby, but to Ruby’s credit she didn’t get frustrated and we got her going a little bit by posting her up,” Miller said. “She had some beautiful assists, so kudos to Ruby for not forcing the issue and finding her teammates when they were collapsing on her.” 

Sun Devils respond after bumpy first quarter

The new starting backcourt did not initially click as the trio of new guards shot a combined 0-7 from the field in the first quarter. As a result, Jackson State started the game leading 8-0 and held an 11-2 lead with 5:58 left in the first quarter. 

“We needed to over communicate that first quarter and that’s where our lapse was,” Miller said. “I challenge this team in two ways, their competitive edge and their response to adversity. We had a little adversity that first quarter and they responded.” 

After the first quarter, Arizona State outscored Jackson State 69-28 and cruised to victory. 

In the big victory the Sun Devils were still down a couple players. Central Michigan transfer junior guard Madison Morson and freshman guard Londyn Parker were both out for opening night with an injury. 

“Y’all are in for a treat because Maddie is the real deal. She’s got a little tweak, so hopefully she’ll be back sooner rather than later” Miller said. “When you’re adding players like Maddie and a defensive specialist like London, that gives you more depth.” 

The Sun Devils will be back at Desert Financial Arena on Thursday to take on Northern Arizona at 6:30 p.m.