by SALT LAKE CITY – The No. 20 Utah Utes upset the No. 6 USC Trojans with a 78-58 victory in the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Friday night for the Utes’ first ranked win of the season.
The Utes made a statement jumping out to a 10-point lead to start the second quarter and never looked back as they cruised to a 20-point victory, the largest margin of victory over a top 10 team in school history. Utah was led by Alissa Pili who dropped 37 points to tie her career high, which she set earlier this season against No. 1 South Carolina.
Utah is now 13-5 overall on the season and 3-3 in Pac-12 play.
GAME SUMMARY
Utah was ready for USC starting the game with an early 12-5 lead. Utah then pushed out for a 19-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Pili started the second quarter with a made three ball to set the tone for the quarter. Utah never let USC come within five points in the second quarter and boasted a 37-28 lead at the half.
USC came out of the halftime break with a spark going on a 7-0 run and brought the score within three points. Utah answered with a 14-2 run to end the quarter. Utah had a 61-44 lead going into the final quarter of the game.
The Utes went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter to push out for a 21-point lead, the largest of the game. Despite USC going on an 8-3 surge in the middle of the quarter, the damage had been done and the No. 20 Utah Utes upset the No. 6 USC Trojans 78-58.
LEADERS
Utah had two Utes score in double figures and were led by Pili’s 37 points. Pili went 13-16 for 81.6 percent from the field. She went 5-6 from the three and 6-8 from the free throw line.
