by LOS ANGELES – The No. 18 Utah Utes women’s basketball team picked up its fourth upset win over a Top 10 team by taking down No. 7 USC with a final score of 74-68. This marks the highest ranked road win in Utah history.
Alissa Pili returned to the Galen Center after spending her first three collegiate seasons as a Trojan. Pili led the Utes to victory with a game high 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Utah’s strong first quarter holding USC to just six points was a driving force into the final minutes of the game. The Utes made 10 free throws in the final five minutes of the game that gave Utah the edge into victory.
Utah is now 20-8 overall on the season and 10-6 in Pac-12 play.
GAME SUMMARY
The Trojans were the first to get on the scoreboard but then went on to miss nine straight shots and the Utes forced a five minute Trojan scoring drought. During that time, Alissa Pili scored seven consecutive points for the Utes to give Utah a five point lead. To end the first quarter, Utah went on a 5-0 run to take a 14-6 lead.
In the second quarter, Utah maintained the lead and thanks to made three pointers by Ines Vieira, Matyson Wilke and Kennady McQueen the Utes took a 10-point lead. The Trojans made a surge to cut the score deficit back to single digits but Utah maintained for a 34-28 lead at halftime.
Utah lagged coming out of half time as USC was able to tie the game with 3:22 left in the third quarter. The Utes found some momentum thanks to an 8-0 run that was sparked by a driving layup from Dasia Young. Utah hung tight for a 50-45 lead going into the final quarter of play.
Utah and USC battled the entire fourth quarter. With tensions high, Utah never lost the lead. Going into the final minute of play, Utah had a six point lead. USC knocked down a three with 40 seconds left to bring the game within two possessions. The Trojans needed to foul to get the ball back but the Utes knocked down four consecutive free throws to drive the nail in to walk away with a 74-68 win over USC.
LEADERS
Utah had four Utes score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili’s second consecutive double-double 23 points and 11 rebounds.
