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Kylie Maeda did Saturday at the Huntsman Center what she's known for, said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins.
"Whatever the team needs."
Against Utah, that was hitting key shots. Maeda averages just 5.1 points, but with Utah's defense sagging off of her to defend senior forward Morgan Bailey in the post, Maeda made 6-of-9 attempts and sank two last-minute free throws for 16 points in the Cougars' 60-56 rivalry win, and she also added six assists.
"She's always been that way," Judkins said. "She hits big shots in big moments."
On paper, it wasn't as much a mismatch as last year, when 4-4 Utah stunned 11-0 BYU in double overtime at the Marriott Center. The Cougars were 6-1 since their slow start, but the Utes had won four straight, too.
Still, it took improved shooting from the Utes (now 4-5) to rally from an 18-8 start deficit out of the gates and eventually set up a potential game-tying shot for true freshman Tanaeya Boclair, which fell short.
Boclair hit a similar shot earlier in the game, said Utah head coach Anthony Levrets, and he'd call the same play again if he could go back in time.
"That's her shot," Levrets said.
Down low, the Cougars were led by a typically prolific night for Bailey - with 18 points and 10 rebounds - and the Utes got 15 points, 13 boards, seven assists and three blocks from senior forward Taryn Wicijowski.
Bailey said afterward that it's definitely worth something extra to earn a victory in her final rivalry showdown.
"This Holy War means a lot to us, and the guys didn't win, so we wanted to represent BYU out there."
For the Utes, who went 8-of-17 from deep, sophomore Paige Crozon hit three second-half 3-pointers to stay within striking distance, while the Cougars countered with a steady dose of Bailey and Maeda.
Junior guard Lexi Eaton, BYU's leading scorer, was escorted to the trainer's room midway through the second half but returned and finished with 13 points.
Boclair did have at least one clutch highlight, ducking an onrushing BYU defender to coolly drill a corner three at the first-half-buzzer and keep Utah a score back, 32-39.
Utah sophomore forward Nakia Arquette also contributed seven points and three rebounds off the bench in the first half.
Levrets said the Utes, playing without five injured players, were on point, with the exception of sloppy play out of the gate.
"We don't have a margin for error right now," he said. "We're missing about 40 points per game out there."
Utah's homestand continues when they host Louisiana Tech next Saturday at 3 p.m., while BYU gets nine days off before visiting Logan to face 2-6 Utah State.
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
BYU 60, Utah 56
R BYU's Lexi Eaton goes into the locker room in the second half, but returns and scores a total of 13 points.
• Utah's Taryn Wicijowski nets 15 points, 13 boards and 17 assists.