by BOULDER, Colo. – The No.12 Utah women’s basketball team started the final Pac-12 season with a 76-65 loss to No. 8 Colorado.
Utah was led by Alissa Pili’s double-double performance with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Utah and Colorado ping-pong throughout the game with 11 lead changes and 11 moments tied. Utah is now 10-3 overall on the season.
GAME SUMMARY
The Utes were the first to get on the board thanks to an Alissa Pili spin move for two. Utah and Colorado matched each other in scoring until the Buffs pulled ahead for 13-8 lead. Lani White came in off the bench to spark momentum for the Utes as she drained a pair of free throws and knocked down a three on a fast break. With the help of White, Utah trailed 16-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Utah was able to pull ahead for a narrow lead for the majority of the second quarter. Colorado was able to tie it up 33-33 going into the half.
The Buffs came out of the half with some momentum and pulled ahead for a seven point lead. Utah quickly answered with a 10-0 run that was sparked by a made lay-up from Dasia Young. Utah ended the third quarter with five unanswered points. With just under a minute on the clock, Maty Wilke knocked down a big three to give Utah a one-point lead. Utah was able to get a stop and on the last possession of the quarter White drove for two to give the Utes a 54-51 lead going into the final quarter of play.
Utah came out of the quarter break on a 5-0 run for an eight point lead, the largest Ute lead of the game. Colorado managed a 12-0 run to take a 65-61 lead with 4:26 left in the game. Utah brought the score within three points but Colorado finished on a 9-0 run to take a 76-65 win over the Utes.
