UTAH UTES

Utah Women Stamp Their Ticket To Sweet 16

Mar 19, 2023, 7:17 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm

SALT LAKE CITY – The game got uncomfortably close in the fourth quarter, but Utah women’s basketball stayed strong and stamped their ticket to the Sweet 16 next weekend in South Carolina.

The Utes walked away with a 63-56 over Princeton in front of a rowdy Huntsman Center crowd that was with them to the end.

Utah finished the night shooting 40% from the field, and 7% from the three. Alissa Pili led the team in all three major statistics- points 28, rebounds 10, and assists 3.

Princeton, Utah First Quarter

Kennady McQueen put Utah on the board first after being fouled during a three-point shot attempt, going 2 of 3. Princeton tied it up with a jumper. Alissa Pili put another in the bucket with the Tigers answering quickly again to make it tied 4-point game. With under five minutes to play, Utah built up a small lead, 11-8 over the Tigers. Gianni Kneepkens came in clutch with a steal and score to extend the lead, 13-8.

At the 1:22 mark Pili bullied her way to the post and then turned around a minute later to drain a three giving the Utes a 20-12 advantage to end the quarter.

Tigers, Utes Second Quarter

Teya Sidberry connected with Pili for points. Pili made an incredible 2-point shot heading to the ground that also got her a trip to the line, extending Utah’s lead, 27-14.

Princeton made it a 10-point game at the 5:30 mark, but Pili turned around and put another two in the bucket to make it a 29-17 game.

Out of the break Kennady McQueen sank a buzzer-beater three as the shot clock expired giving Utah a 32-19 advantage with about four minutes left to play. Utah would go on to end the first half with a 35-26 lead.

Princeton, Utah Third Quarter

Utah and Princeton continued to battle into the third quarter with the Tigers trying to close ground on the Utes, 40-33. Dasia Young hit a critical shot off the glass after checking into the game, but Princeton quickly answered back with a three making it a 44-38 game with 1:54 left in the third quarter.

The Tigers weren’t through chipping away at Utah’s lead getting within four, 44-40 with just over a minute left to play. Princeton got within two, but a trip to the line for McQueen helped give the Utes some space again, 46-42.

Tigers, Utes Fourth Quarter

Pili hit a big shot off the glass giving Utah a six-point lead, but trip to the foul line for Princeton brought it back to a four-point game, 48-44. With under seven to play, the Tigers got back within two of the Utes, 50-48. McQueen hit a key shot off the glass with a trip to the line to give the Utes some breathing room, 53-48.

The Tigers continued to try and claw their way to a lead, but could never get much closer than within six points.

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Devaughn Vele #17 of the Denver Broncos...

Brian Preece

Broncos Send Former Utah WR To Saints For Draft Pick Compensation

The Denver Broncos are reportedly sending second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for draft pick compensation. 

15 hours ago

Elijah Davis #9 of the Utah Utes...

Brian Preece

Utah’s Elijah Davis Primed To Be ‘One Of The Best Corners In The Big 12’

Utah Utes redshirt freshman cornerback Elijah Davis is in line to play a significant role in the middle of defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley's secondary.

20 hours ago

Rice-Eccles Stadium Big 12 logo Utah Utes ESPN Top 100...

Brian Preece

Utah Football Star Ranks High On List Of Top 100 College Football Players

The 2025 ESPN Top 100 college football players list is out, and two Utah Utes made the cut.

20 hours ago

Morgan Scalley feeling good about the Utah defense....

Steve Bartle

‘Solid, Solid Camp’ For Morgan Scalley’s Utah Defense

Morgan Scalley and his defensive assistants have cultivated good progress throughout the Utah defense.

21 hours ago

Davis Darts football Bode Sparrow...

Brian Preece

Davis Darts Phenom Bode Sparrow Schedules Official Visits With Utah, BYU

A do-it-all athlete for the Davis Darts, three-star prospect Bode Sparrow is scheduled to visit seven potential colleges this fall, including Utah and BYU.

22 hours ago

Jason Beck, Utah fall camp, skill positions, 2025 season....

Steve Bartle

‘Guys Have Been Emerging’ According To Utah OC Jason Beck

Utah has concluded camp and Jason Beck feels they've got a good idea of who they can game plan around for the season opener in Pasadena.

22 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 11

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 10

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 9

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 8

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Page was generated in 0.52828192710876