Circle this one. Arizona State walks into The Pavilion tonight at 6:30 p.m., and one of its former starters walks in wearing scarlet.
The UNLV Lady Rebels (1-1) host the Sun Devils (2-0) in a rematch of last season's 56-53 thriller in Tempe. UNLV is calling it Pack the Pavilion, and the matchup earns the name.
She Beat UNLV Last Year. Now She Plays for UNLV
Marley Washenitz started all 35 games for Arizona State last season. She averaged 7.9 points and 2.3 assists, and she led the Sun Devils with 1.9 steals per game.
Against UNLV last November, she missed her first six shots. Then she banked in a left-handed 3-pointer to give Arizona State that 56-53 win, playing all 40 minutes with a game-high five assists.
Now the fifth-year guard is a Lady Rebel. UNLV announced her signing on September 4, and head coach Lindy La Rocque said: "Her experience, competitiveness and leadership are a huge addition to our group."
That is the fresh angle tonight. The player who closed the door on UNLV a year ago now has to open it against her old team.
Two Hot Starts Collide at The Pavilion
UNLV just handled UTSA 69-51 in its home opener on Friday. Jasmyn Lott dropped 22 points, went a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line, and Norah Moo grabbed 11 rebounds.
Meadow Roland added 11 points, seven boards and a team-high four assists. UNLV also held UTSA to just seven points in the second quarter.
Arizona State arrives unbeaten. The Sun Devils beat Northern Arizona 79-52 on Thursday behind Ruby Whitehorn, who scored 25 points on 11-for-13 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds.
- UNLV: 1-1, picked No. 1 in the Mountain West for the fifth straight season, with Roland named Preseason Player of the Year.
- Arizona State: 2-0, only nine turnovers against Northern Arizona, and a lead that grew to 30 points late.
- The rematch: Arizona State won last season's meeting 56-53 in Tempe. This time the game is in Las Vegas.
How to Catch It, and What to Watch
Tip is 6:30 p.m. PT at The Pavilion, 4505 S Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154. The stream is on MW+, and Arizona State notes a paid subscription is required.
- Get there early. Pack the Pavilion is UNLV's own billing for this game, and a Power Four visitor on a Tuesday night will fill the building fast.
- Watch Washenitz first. Her steals and ball pressure set UNLV's tempo, and she knows Arizona State's sets from the inside.
- Watch the paint. Whitehorn just went 11-for-13 without needing the 3. Roland and Moo have to make her work for every touch.
- Watch Lott's shot. She is coming off 22 points with three made 3-pointers. If Arizona State crowds her, Roland gets room inside.
Ten newcomers joined this UNLV roster. Nights like this are how a new group stops being new.
Beat a 2-0 Power Four team at home, with its former starter running your backcourt, and the rest of the Mountain West pays attention. Tip is at 6:30. Be loud.
