Gianna Kneepkens hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points to lead No. 7 Utah to a 92-69 victory over Washington on Friday night at the Huntsman Center.
Kneepkens added a team-high six assists for the Utes (21-2, 11-2 Pac-12), who shot 51% from the field and made 16 3-pointers overall. Alissa Pili finished with 17 points and Lani White and Jenna Johnson added 11 points apiece.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) celebrates a three-point play as Utah hosts Washington, NCAA basketball in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
Elle Ladine scored 18 points to lead Washington. Haley Van Dyke and Darcy Rees scored 10 points apiece for the Huskies (13-10, 5-8), who shot 44% from the field.
“Washington was coming off of beating Stanford so they definitely had our team’s attention and I thought we came out really well and just kind of wore them down,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said. “Obviously we shot the ball really well. They were doing a really good job at defending inside and it was hard to score around the bucket. If you’re able to shut down the inside, we have people that can shoot. It was a great win, anytime you can win by 23 in this league, I don’t care if you’re home or away it’s a great night.”
Utah overwhelmed Washington with its outside shooting in the first half. The Utes went 10 for 14 from 3-point range, punctuated by Issy Palmer’s buzzer-beater from half-court to end the half. Kneepkens led the way, knocking down four outside baskets.
The Huskies struggled to match Utah’s potent offense. Washington knotted it up at 9-all on back-to-back baskets from Van Dyke and Lauren Schwartz. Kneepkens countered with back-to-back 3s to fuel a go-ahead 8-0 run for the Utes.
Utah broke the game open behind a 14-2 run in the second quarter. Kneepkens and Kennedy McQueen bookended the outburst with more 3-pointers. McQueen’s outside basket gave the Utes a 44-29 lead.
Utah built a 30-point lead late in the fourth quarter when Johnson made a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer to put the Utes up 88-58.
“I think winning those close games against UCLA and Arizona gave us confidence and going on the road we won a close overtime game at Oregon State,” Roberts said. “We had a big lead and they cut it and that situation gives you confidence too. Confidence has to be earned, you cannot just want it and I think these guys have earned it. It’s a slippery slope to arrogance but that’s not who these guys are as people. I do not have to worry about that. We just have to stay focused on the next game. We’re going to enjoy tonight and then tomorrow we’re going to be all about Wazzu and nothing else.”
BIG PICTURE
Washington: Getting stops proved to be a chore for the Huskies. Washington shot the ball well early, but struggled to match the offensive efficiency from Utah.
Utah: Rebounding ended up being a huge difference-maker for the Utes early. Utah outrebounded Washington 32-25 and had 14 offensive rebounds. The Utes had six offensive boards in the first quarter alone after holding the Huskies to four total rebounds.
UP NEXT
Washington: At Colorado on Sunday.
Utah: Hosts Washington State on Sunday.
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