by SALT LAKE CITY – The No.4 Utah women’s basketball team took on No. 21 Baylor Tuesday evening and fell 84-77 giving the Utes a 2-1 record on the season.
Baylor got the jump on Utah in the first quarter starting things off with an 11-2 lead. Later, Isabel Palmer drove to the hoop for two and sparked a 9-0 run to bring the Utes within one point. The Bears pushed and maintained with a 24-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Bears never let Utah take over the lead in the second quarter. Utah brought the score within two points thanks to a made three pointer by Gianna Kneepkens with just under five minutes left in the half. Baylor then took off for a 7-0 run. Utah trailed 39-33 at the half.
With just over five minutes left in the third quarter, Alissa Pili drained one from beyond the arc to spark a 7-0 run that tied the game at 51-51. Utah still wasn’t able to edge past Baylor to take the lead and trailed 63-54 in the third quarter.
Dasia Young took the lane with a spin move for a made layup and drew the foul for a three-point opportunity. Utah was able to pull a second chance and found a breaking Pili who took the ball up the lane for a made bucket down low. With these made field goals Utah was able to draw some momentum but it wasn’t enough as the Bears pushed out for an 85-77 win over the Utes.
LEADERS
Utah had three players score in double figures and were led by Pili’s 22 points. Pili went 9-11 from the field. Kneepkens added 18 for Utah while Palmer had 11. Jenna Johnson led the Utes on the boards pulling down 10 rebounds. Ines Vieira had three steals to help the Utes’ defensive efforts.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 48 percent from the field, 25 percent from beyond the arc, and 52 percent from the free throw line. Utah pulled down 40 total rebounds including 14 offensive boards. The Utes had 12 assists, eight steals and 18 turnovers.
Baylor shot 47 percent from the field, 41 percent from the three and 83 percent from the free throw line. The Bears ended the game with 34 rebounds, 16 assists and 13 turnovers.
