Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at TBD
TBD
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Saturday, December 28
Missoula, Mont.
6:00 p.m.
University of Utah
69
vs
65
Lady Griz Holiday Classic - Mississippi State
Utes Upset No. 14 Mississippi State 69-65
12/28/2002 12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 28, 2002
MISSOULA, Mont. - The University of Utah women's basketball team claimed its biggest win of the season tonight with a 69-65 win over No. 14 Mississippi State in the first round of the Montana Lady Griz Holiday Classic tonight. The Utes shot just 36 percent from the field on the game, but went 12-for-26 (46 percent) from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs shot 44 percent from the field, but managed just 19 percent from behind the arc. Mississippi State also out-rebounded Utah 43-30, but the Utes forced 16 Bulldog turnovers in the victory. The difference, however, came from the charity stripe, where Utah went 19-of-23, while MSU was only 4-of-7.
The Utes started the game out slow, not scoring their first basket until 18:21 in on a Kelsy Stireman jumper. During the first 4:37 of the game, the Bulldogs shot 80 percent (8-of-11) compared to the 12.5 percent (2-of-11) of the Utes. Mississippi State led by as many as 10 points (20-10), but the Utes chipped away at the lead, aided by the four three-pointers of sophomore Shona Thorburn, who finished the half with a team-high 14 points and five rebounds.
Despite being out-shot by nearly 20 percent, Utah went into the locker room at halftime just three points down, 32-35. The Utes connected on 6-of-12 from behind the arc, while the Bulldogs hit just 2-of-9. Utah also hit eight free throws compared to the three of MSU.
In the second half, the Utes led by as many as five before the Bulldogs closed the gap. There were then four ties, as the game remained close for the balance. MSU came as close to one (62-61) with 2:42 left in the game, but freshman Julie Wood drained a three on the Utes' next possession to extend the lead to four. Mississippi State then made a quick layup to cut it to two, but Thorburn and Stireman each hit two free throws late to seal the win.
"I am very happy about this win," Head Coach Elaine Elliott said. "We played with intelligence and we didn't played scared at all. When you really love to play, you're not fearful of anyone.
"We are learning and getting better with each game," she continued. "We are trying to become the team we want to be."
Thorburn led Utah with 23 points, including five three-pointers, and seven rebounds. Freshman Kim Smith added 18 points and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. She also dished out three assists and notched two steals. Wood and Stireman added nine points apiece, and sophomore Lana Sitterud finished with three steals and two assists in just 15 minutes.
UP NEXT:
The Utes will play the winner of the Montana/Texas-Pan American game at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 29, in the tournament championship.
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