Arizona

Arizona State Sun Devils lose cool, then the lead in costly home loss to UCLA

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2024

Arizona State Sun Devils lose cool, then the lead in costly home loss to UCLA

Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley is rarely at a loss for words. Wednesday night was one of those rare occasions, at least when it came to addressing the only topic anyone wanted to talk about.

The Sun Devils lost to UCLA 68-66 in a Pac-12 game at Desert Financial Arena. It wasn’t that they lost. It was how they lost that had Hurley fuming after the game, although he wouldn’t lash out quite like he wanted to.

The Sun Devils (10-7, 4-2), who started the night in second place, right behind Oregon in the conference standings, were called for four second-half technical fouls and a flagrant. ASU’s Shawn Phillips, a 7-foot-center, was ejected after two technicals at the 10:10 mark of the second half in what proved to be the turning point of the contest.

“I’d like to say how I really feel but I won’t. I’m not going to say how I really feel,” Hurley fumed after the game, no doubt alluding to any criticism of the officiating would lead to a lofty fine at the least.

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“So I am just going to start out by saying that when you look at the stat sheet, proud of my team’s shooting percentages, from 3, from 2 against a very good defensive team against a team that is starting to find itself. Had six turnovers compared to their 11. That’s all I’m going to say. Really.”

ASU’s biggest lead was 13 points early in the second half.

The Bruins (8-10, 3-4) had whittled that lead to 49-43 when the fireworks started. ASU’s Adam Miller was called for a hard foul on UCLA’s Lazar Stefanovic who was driving toward the bucket. With Stefanovic sprawled out under the basket words were said by Phillips who was assessed a technical, then quickly given another resulting in his departure.

Arizona State unravels

UCLA’s Adem Bona was called for a technical as well, which offset one of the ASU technicals.

When order was restored Stefanvic went to the line and made all four shots to cut the deficit to 49-47.

UCLA then got the ball on the next possession and Will McClendon nailed a 3-pointer to give the Bruins their first lead of the game at 50-49.

“I am happy with everything that happened on the basketball court besides the free-throw line,” Hurley said. “No one wanted to explain anything to me. I had to ask them to explain what happened but I’m tired of the explanations. I’m just not going to talk about it any more.

“We just tried to hold it together. Some responsbility certainly lies with our guys. In a heated game I’m sure there’s a lot of communication,” he added. “And we’re the bad guys. So now we’re the bad guys. You’ll never see a bad guy like us again. But that’s what we were tonight. We we were the bad guys. I’m sure no one else said anything except us. All night.”

It was a tight contest the rest of the way.

Then with 3:50 left and ASU up 60-56, ASU’s Jamiya Neal was called for a personal foul and then assessed a technical foul. The damage could have been worse there as UCLA made just two of four tries to keep ASU leading 60-58.

Bryant Selebangue got the last technical almost just minute and a half later, after a battle for a rebound on the UCLA end. Stefanovic made both free throws for a 62-60 lead.

Sun Devils make one last push

But ASU was not done. ASU regained the lead with 2:04 to play on a 3-pointer by Frankie Collins, only to have UCLA answer on its end of the floor with a bucket by Sebastian Mack that gave the visitors a 64-63 lead with 1:12 to go. They hung on from there.

The barrage of technical fouls was a big reason for the disparity in free throws as UCLA made 17 of 23 tries while ASU made 9 of 14.

“The refs told us not to say a word and we’re still talking. Just trying to tell him (Selebangue) this is a critical moment. You can’t do that,” Collins said.

Collins and Miller each scored 16, while Neal added 13 and Jose Perez 12 as the Sun Devils shot 42.6% (23-for-54) from the field. That’s including an 11-for-27 from deep.

UCLA, which started two freshmen and two sophomores after significant roster overhaul, got 18 from Stefanovich and 13 from Brandon Williams, with the Bruins shooting 47.8% (22-for-46). It also won the rebounding battle 33-27. Bona had nine points, six rebounds and seven blocks before fouling out.

It marked the first loss at home for ASU, which had been 7-0 at home so far this season. More importantly, it’s a result that means ASU will lose further ground in trying to advance its cause for a postseason bid. Not only does it still need some quality wins, it could not afford to lose to an opponent with a losing record, particularly at home.

ASU now has to regroup for Saturday’s noon game against USC (8-10, 2-5) which lost to Arizona 82-67 in Tucson Wednesday night. The Trojans are playing without three injured starters.

ASU lost both regular season games with USC a year ago but defeated the Trojans in the Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal.

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Arizona

Former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely switches congressional districts in Arizona race

Published

6 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely switches congressional districts in Arizona race

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely has switched his congressional campaign from the East Valley to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, joining a crowded Republican primary in Scottsdale.

The move comes after President Donald Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Fifth Congressional District last month, sending Feely a message to run in a different district.

“After nearly a quarter century in professional football, I know that no player is more important than the well-being of the team,” Feely said in a statement released Friday. “In this moment, the best way I can serve our GOP team is to defend this crucial Republican seat.”

Feely joins businessman John Trobough, state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and current Arizona Republican Party leader Gina Swoboda in the GOP primary. Swoboda has already secured Trump’s endorsement.

Political experts believe Feely’s move, following Trump’s advice, could lead to another situation where Trump endorses two candidates in the same race.

The First Congressional District seat opened when Congressman David Schweikert announced his run for governor. Republicans view the district as a must-win seat.

The winner of the Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election. The district is one of two swing districts in Arizona that could determine which party controls the House.

Trump has previously endorsed multiple candidates in Arizona Republican primaries, including Rep. Andy Biggs and businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson in the governor’s race.

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Arizona

Three Arizona Standouts Against Bellarmine

Published

18 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Three Arizona Standouts Against Bellarmine

The blowout victory not only highlighted Arizona’s depth but also provided several standout individual performances that showed important signs of growth headed towards conference play. Here’s a closer look at the top three Wildcats from the game and how they powered the win.

1. Tanyuel Welch — Team Leader With a Big Night (18 Points)

Memphis’ Tanyuel Welch (11) jumps up for a rebound during the game between East Carolina University and the University of Memphis at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Saturday, February 1, 2025. | Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Guard Tanyuel Welch led all scorers for Arizona with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting a highly efficient performance that helped set the tone early and keep the Wildcats well ahead of Bellarmine throughout. Welch also knocked down 4-of-4 free throws, showing composure at the line, and contributed six rebounds and three assists while playing 24 minutes.

Impressively, she did all of this with just one turnover and one foul, illustrating her control and decision-making in a high-tempo game. Welch’s scoring came at all levels; attacking the rim, knocking down mid-range looks, and finishing in transition and her all-around playmaking and rebounding added yet another layer to a complete offensive night.

2. Noelani Cornfield — Playmaker and Versatile Contributor

Oct 21, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Arizonaís Noelani Cornfield speaks to media during Big 12 Womenís Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Sophia Scheller-Imagn Images | Sophia Scheller-Imagn Images

Senior point guard Noelani Cornfield had another impactful outing in the win over Bellarmine. Cornfield recorded 15 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed two rebounds, and added five steals in just 25 minutes of action. Her stat line shows how she orchestrated the Wildcats’ offense while also creating havoc defensively.

Cornfield’s ability to distribute the ball was on full display as Arizona finished with 24 assists on 44 made field goals, a testament to their ball movement and unselfish play. Her high assist total helped keep the offense flowing and ensured that multiple Wildcats got open, high-percentage shots throughout the afternoon. Her defensive energy also led to easy transition opportunities, further fueling Arizona’s balanced scoring output.

3. Achol Magot — Efficient Frontcourt Scorer Off the Bench

Iowa State Cyclones’ center Audi Crooks (55) blocks the ball as Texas Tech Lady Raiders center Achol Magot (10) attempts to shoot during the first quarter in the Big-12 women’s basketball showdown at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Center Achol Magot delivered a career-high 10 points off the bench in just 14 minutes, going 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. Her efficient scoring and physical presence inside helped complement Arizona’s guard play and gave the Wildcats consistent production inside the paint. Magot also contributed five rebounds and one assist while battling through foul trouble, showing a strong impact in limited minutes.

Her ability to score efficiently around the basket and contribute on the glass was an important part of Arizona’s depth, showing through. In a game where Arizona had six double-digit scorers, Magot’s contribution sealed her place as one of the night’s top performers.

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Arizona governor’s poll shows Katie Hobbs’ chances of beating Andy Biggs

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Arizona governor’s poll shows Katie Hobbs’ chances of beating Andy Biggs

Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs leads Republican U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs by double digits in the state’s gubernatorial race, shows a new poll conducted by NextGen Polling, which identifies as “right of center.”

Newsweek reached out to Biggs’ campaign via email on Thursday for comment.

Why It Matters

As a pivotal battleground state, Arizona’s political trends can potentially foreshadow national outcomes, with shifting demographics and voter priorities influencing both parties’ strategies.

The results could possibly play a critical role in the broader national landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.

What To Know

In the poll, Hobbs captures 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Biggs’ 32 percent, with 7 percent of respondents choosing “other” and 9 percent undecided.

The survey was taken from December 15 to December 17 among 2,725 likely voters, with a 1.9 percent margin of error, according to NextGen’s press release.

The poll also shows that Biggs has 64 percent of the Republican vote while Hobbs carries 90 percent of Democrats’ support. Sixty-two percent of independents back Hobbs while 19 percent favor Biggs.

Against Republican candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, Hobbs has 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Robson’s 30 percent.

What People Are Saying

Gregg Pekau, managing partner at NextGenP, in the poll: “This is a very telling, and honestly shocking, survey that far exceeds anything we’ve seen regarding the 2026 general election for Governor. This should be a wakeup call to Republicans that we must unify and connect with voters beyond our party to win the Governor race in 2026. The good news is that there remains significant time to engage independent voters and rebuild support within the party’s base.”

Biggs, on X earlier this month: “Under Katie Hobbs, our state has seen:

-Job growth plummet

-Energy and gas prices skyrocket

-A blatant disregard for public safety and keeping our border secure

If we want to grow and keep people here, Arizona needs a Governor with a vision, not vetoes.”

Hobbs, on X in October: “Arizona: I’m running for re-election. Your stories of hard work, hope, and determination inspire me to keep moving our state forward. I’m ready to serve you for 4 more years and always put your family first. Let’s get to work.”

What Happens Next

As both parties intensify their field efforts and campaign spending, Arizona is expected to remain at the center of national attention in the 2026 midterm cycle.

Early survey leads may shift as campaigns develop and voters gain more information. Both major parties are expected to closely monitor voter attitudes as Arizona’s political landscape continues to evolve in the run-up to the elections.