by PHILADELPHIA – The No.11 Utah women’s basketball team took down an undefeated Saint Joseph’s Thursday evening with a 74-48 final score.
Utah started the game out hot with a 6-0 run. The Utes held the Hawks scoreless for the first 3:30 minutes of play. After Saint Joseph’s made a layup to get on the board, Utah went on an 11-0 run. Utah ‘s defense locked in as the Utes held Saint Joseph’s to just two field goals in the first quarter. A made three pointer by Alissa Pili with just four seconds left in the initial quarter of play, gave Utah a 22-6 lead.
The Hawks captured the momentum going into the final minutes of the half as SJU went on an 11-2 run over the Utes. The Hawks outscored the Utes 20-16 in the second quarter but Utah maintained a 38-26 lead going into the break.
Utah battled in the third quarter and maintained for a 51-40 lead going into the final quarter of play.
Pili took the game into her own hands in the fourth quarter getting the momentum back in favor of Utah. Pili took off for 14 points in six minutes of play, all 14 points for the Utes in the fourth quarter up to that point in the quarter. Utah finished the game outscoring Saint Joseph’s 23-8 and handed the Hawks their first loss of the season with a 74-48 final score.
LEADERS
Utah had just two players score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili who had a season-high 31 points. She went 12-17 from the field, 3-4 from beyond the arc and 4-7 from the line. She also had seven rebounds and three assists. Kennady McQueen had 11 points for the Utes including two made from three point range.
