The Utes are moving on.
Utah’s Alissa Pili scored a game-high 26 points and guard Kennady McQueen added 17 points to take down the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, 68-54, on Saturday night.
“It is never easy in the NCAA tournament to get a win,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said. “Tonight was not easy. We never could get very comfortable. … But I think we made plays when we needed to.”
The Utes advance to take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane, Wash., on Monday. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. MT.
Utah’s double-digit win over the Jackrabbits did not come easy.
(Stephen Brashear | AP) Utah guard Kennady McQueen, left, celebrates with guard Inês Vieira during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA basketball game against South Dakota State on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Spokane, Wash.
The Utes jumped out to a 25-5 lead, but South Dakota State mounted a furious rally, during a second quarter Roberts called “less than impressive on our part offensively.” The Jackrabbits outscored the Utes 21-7 in that frame.
“South Dakota State is good, impressively good. Just so much respect for them,” Roberts said. “... They didn’t ever quit. They never hung their heads. That’s a sign of a good team.”
For the Jackrabbits, forwards Tori Nelson (14 points) and Brooklyn Meyer (13 points) led the scoring charge. Guard Paige Meyer had 12 points and eight rebounds.
(Young Kwak | AP) Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) reaches for a rebound next to South Dakota State guard Jenna Hopp (2) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Utah pulled away in the third quarter.
“We talked about it at halftime,” said McQueen, who had six assists and no turnovers. “It was just throwing the first punch and getting back to Utah basketball.”
Forward Jenna Johnson finished with eight points and 10 rebounds and guard Matt Wilke added seven points in the win.
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