by UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The No. 11 Utah women’s basketball team took on No. 1 South Carolina in the Invesco QQQ Hoophall Women’s Basketball Showcase Sunday afternoon and despite a strong battle fell 78-69.
South Carolina was the first to get on the board but the Utes stayed within one possession in the first quarter, until the Gamecocks strung together an 11-2 run to end the period with a 27-16 lead.
Alissa Pili stole all of the momentum to start the second quarter putting up 14 points while Utah’s defense held South Carolina to just one field goal in nearly three minutes to begin the stanza. A pair of free throws by Jenna Johnson brought the score within one point with 1:21 left in the first half. South Carolina put together a 6-0 run to end the first half and the Utes trailed 41-34 at halftime.
Pili had 21 points at the half going 9-of-12 from the field, including two made from beyond the arc.
Utah stole the momentum in the third quarter going on a 10-3 run. Utah kept the pressure on South Carolina the entire third quarter and trailed 62-57 going into the final quarter of play.
The Utes battled the entire fourth quarter but the Gamecocks pulled ahead for a 78-69 win over Utah.
LEADERS
Utah had just two players score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili who had a career-high 37 points. She went 15-of-23 from the field, 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Dasia Young also posted double figures with 12 points.
