This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Bench? What bench?
When you're down to 10 active players, Utah women's basketball coach Anthony Levrets explained, the line between starter and off-the-bench role player blurs. At this point, the injury-bitten Utes need anyone to step up.
On Saturday afternoon, that was Cheyenne Wilson. The senior guard led Utah with 14 points as the Utes downed UNLV 62-49 at home with smothering defense and 3-pointers early.
Wilson was in a groove, even in warm-ups, when she barely missed a shot, she said. Her opening salvo — she hit four of her five 3-point tries in the first half — picked up a Utes team that has needed more reasons for optimism lately.
"She has such a dynamic personality behind closed doors, you know, the other players just love her," Levrets said. "When she's feeling good and going good, it's energy and enthusiasm."
Wilson was just as effective on the other end of the floor, where she and Tanaeya Boclair were key in slowing down UNLV's leader Danielle Miller, who scored 17 points but was only 4 for 17 from the field.
The Rebels shot just 30 percent from the floor, and Utah's 35-32 rebounding edge helped cut off the UNLV offense. Utah led 26-20 at the half and continued to pull away as Taryn Wicijowski (10 points and eight rebounds) and Nakia Arquette provided some points in the paint to solidify the result.
The result was never much in doubt for the final few minutes, though Danielle Rodriguez hit a running jumper with 30 seconds left for emphasis, giving Utah its second home win in as many games.
The victory is meaningful, not only because wins have been tough to scrape out this season, but also because Utah is winning with so many of its weapons out. Already with two starters lost for the season, Levrets announced after the game that Devri Owens, who was injured against Utah State, also won't be able to return this year. The Utes also have Malia Nawahine and Gabrielle Bowie out for the moment, and are unsure when they might be able to play.
"Just like [Levrets] said in the locker room, if you're on the bench, you could be playing at any moment," Wilson said. "So the bench players that we do have, you need to be ready to play."
Utah didn't have a great offensive night, shooting 42 percent from the floor and turning the ball over 18 times. Part of that is less-experienced players figuring out roles and what they can do to contribute, Levrets said.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah 62, UNLV 49
R Cheyenne Wilson leads the Utes with 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range.
• Danielle Rodriguez adds 11 points, and Taryn Wicijowski has 10 points.
• Utah holds Rebels to 30-percent shooting.