Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at TBD
TBD
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Saturday, November 30
Moraga, Calif.
7:05 p.m. PST
University of Utah
66
at
44
Western Carolina (St. Mary's Championship)
Utah Women's Hoop Team Defeats Western Carolina 66-44
11/30/2002 12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 30, 2002
MORAGA, Calif. - The University of Utah women's basketball team (3-1) won the Saint Mary's Thanksgiving Classic tonight after defeating Western Carolina 66-44 in the championship game. The Utes shot 38 percent on the game and held the Catamounts to just 26 percent. Utah also out-rebounded Western Carolina 42-39 and committed five less turnovers (18-23).
Freshman Kim Smith was named MVP of the tournament, after averaging 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.5 assists. "Kim obviously played well, but more than that, she plays hard during every minute she's on the floor," Head Coach Elaine Elliott said. "When you play like that, you get results."
Junior Carley Marshall was also named to the all-tournament team. She averaged eight points, five boards and two blocks in the two games.
Utah opened the game with a 21-2 run and Western Carolina did not score its second basket until there were just under five minutes left in the half. On the half, the Utes doubled the Catamounts in points, holding them to just 13. The second half was a bit more even, with Utah out-scoring Western Carolina 40-31.
"I've really been pleased with our effort on the defensive end," Elliott said. "It's a good reflection of our team getting the job done on the boards and keeping the other teams from second chances."
Smith led Utah with 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting, including 7-of-9 from three-point range. She also had eight rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks. "Kim had a phenomenal game offensively, but she also kept their best player in check defensively," Elliott said. "It's not often that you score 30 points and shut down the other team's best player."
Sophomore Shona Thorburn added 10 points, six rebounds and four assists, while junior Mandie Little grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Marshall finished with six points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
UP NEXT:
The Utes host Fresno State for a 3 p.m. game next Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Huntsman Center.
Players Mentioned
G
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