Key Highlights
- Arsenault’s team falls to ASU in a close battle.
- Point guard Lani Cornfield scored 24 points and made 6 assists.
- Arizona had 20 turnovers, with the Sun Devils making two key 3-point shots late in regulation.
- The Wildcats led by four but failed to secure the win at the end of regulation.
Arsenault’s Team Struggles Against ASU
Arizona women’s basketball faced a formidable challenge against Arizona State (ASU) on February 14, 2026. The game was played under the bright lights at McKale Center in Tucson, with College Gameday adding to the anticipation.
Despite having a four-point lead as time expired in regulation, Arizona’s women’s basketball team faced a dramatic loss. Coach Becky Burke emphasized that the team’s performance came down to “silly mistakes” and turnovers.
Lani Cornfield Shines but Struggles with Turnovers
Point guard Lani Cornfield led the Wildcats with 24 points, scoring efficiently and assisting her teammates six times. However, the game was marred by a total of 20 turnovers, which proved costly in the final stretch.
Coach Burke noted, “We only had five turnovers in the entire second half. I mean… we get loose, we get sloppy with the ball. And we had 15 turnovers at halftime, but we cleaned it up, we made the adjustment, and we put ourselves in a position to win the basketball game.”
Key Moments in Overtime
In overtime, Arizona’s hopes of securing victory were dashed as ASU capitalized on two critical three-pointers. The Sun Devils overcame their early struggles from beyond the arc and maintained a lead through the final minutes.
The Wildcats started strongly, leading 17-13 after the first quarter due to Sumayah Sugapong’s efficient play. However, ASU’s 3-point shooting in the second half turned the tide, despite Arizona also launching several attempts.
Coach Burke Reflects on the Game
Burke was candid about the team’s performance, acknowledging that they “got to be really firing on all cylinders” to win. She added, “We can’t foul that 3-point shooter. We can’t have a couple of our shooters not make a couple shots today.
It’s like we got to be really firing on all cylinders.”
But despite the loss, Burke remained proud of her team’s resilience and determination to compete in close games. “I’m remembering these moments. Let’s put it that way.”
The Arizona women’s basketball team continues its journey in the conference, facing challenges and learning valuable lessons from each game.
