TEMPE, Ariz. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle decided in the final seconds, the Arizona State Sun Devils remained undefeated, edging the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 56-53 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.

A back-and-forth affair culminated in a dramatic finish, with Arizona State’s Marley Washenitz sinking the game-winning 3-pointer with just four seconds remaining on the clock. The shot broke a 53-53 tie and handed the Sun Devils their fifth consecutive victory to open the season, while UNLV fell to 2-3.

The game was a tale of contrasting halves and key individual performances. UNLV controlled the opening quarter, leveraging a stifling defense to build a 12-7 lead. The Runnin’ Rebels extended their advantage early in the second period, but the Sun Devils mounted a decisive 21-point quarter to seize momentum and a 28-24 halftime lead.

Arizona State’s surge was fueled by a dominant performance inside, where they outscored UNLV 32-16 in the paint. They also capitalized on mistakes, scoring 17 points off turnovers compared to UNLV’s 11.

The Sun Devils were led by a spectacular performance from McKinna Brackens. The 6-foot-1 forward from Fairfield, Texas, played 39 minutes and poured in a game-high 23 points, showcasing her versatility with several key jump shots and layups. She was complemented by Heloisa Carrera, a 6-foot-2 player from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who added 16 points and was a force on the glass.

UNLV, despite the loss, displayed resilience and a balanced scoring attack. Mariah Elohim, a 5-foot-10 guard from Westlake Village, California, and Jasmyn Lott, a 5-foot-8 guard from Frisco, Texas, each contributed 12 points. Meadow Roland, a 6-foot-2 presence from Fresno, California, was a defensive stalwart for the Runnin’ Rebels, recording 11 points and an impressive five blocked shots.

The third quarter saw UNLV chip away at the deficit, outscoring Arizona State 14-13 to narrow the gap to 41-38 heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter evolved into a tense battle, with neither team able to secure a substantial lead. UNLV’s Shelbee Brown, a 6-foot guard from Memphis, Tennessee, who finished with eight points and four assists, tied the game late with a tip-in layup, setting the stage for Washenitz’s heroics.

Following a timeout with four seconds left, Washenitz, a 5-foot-7 guard from Fairmont, West Virginia, received the inbounds pass and connected on the clutch 3-pointer from the wing to put Arizona State ahead for good. UNLV’s desperation heave from beyond the arc as time expired was off the mark.

The victory extends Arizona State’s perfect start under first-year coach Natasha Adair, while UNLV, despite a valiant effort, continues to search for consistency in the early season. The game, played in front of 2,728 fans, was a defensive showcase, with the combined point total of 109 falling well below the pregame over/under line of 139.5. The outcome also defied the national statistical projections, which had favored UNLV to win.

Arizona State looks to continue its winning streak when it hosts Utah Tech on Tuesday. UNLV returns home to face Creighton on Wednesday.