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Utah women’s basketball team runs away from Washington in second half for 84-61 victory

Courtesy of the University of Utah Utah's Kemery Martin handles the ball during the Utes' 84-61 win over Washington in a women's basketball game on Jan. 3, 2021.

The University of Utah women’s basketball team scored 53 points in the second half to pull away for an 84-61 victory over Washington on Sunday at the Huntsman Center.

After being held scoreless in the first half, sophomore Brynna Maxwell went off for 24 points in the third and fourth quarters, shooting 5 of 7 from the floor. She went 5 for 10 overall, including 3 for 6 on 3-pointers, and was 11 of 12 from the free-throw line.

Niyah Becker gave the Utes (3-5, 2-5 Pac-12) a spark off the bench, scoring nine of her 12 points after halftime. Dru Glyten and Lola Pendande each finished with 10.

Haley Van Dyke led Washington (4-5, 1-5) with 16 points.

“I told the team after the game when we huddled up that we just need to celebrate the victories and celebrate the wins,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said. “Whether it is an actual win against an opponent or a win in another way because this has been a really challenging year for everybody. We have to find the sunlight and celebrate it. It felt good to win, to win convincingly and just get some confidence back.”

Utah is scheduled to visit USC on Friday and UCLA next Sunday.