Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at TBD
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Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Thursday, March 7
Las Vegas, NV
9:30 PM
University of Utah
22-10,11-7Pac-12
57
vs
67
UCLA
25-5,13-5Pac-12
1
2
3
4
F
Utah
12
15
14
16
57
UCLA
14
18
17
18
67
No. 6 Utah falls to No. 3 UCLA in 67-57 Quarterfinal Battle
3/8/2024 1:43 AM | Women's Basketball
LAS VEGAS – The No. 6 seeded Utah Utes battled with the No. 3 seeded UCLA Bruins but the Utes Pac-12 Tournament run came to an end as Utah fell 67-57 Thursday night.
Utah had four score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili's 16 points. Utah is now 22-10 overall on the season.
GAME SUMMARY
The Utes jumped out to a 10-6 lead over UCLA thanks to a pair of clutch made three pointers from Kennady McQueen. Utah then went on a 4:30 second scoring drought where UCLA overtook the lead with a 14-10 score. Alissa Pili did work in the paint to end the first quarter with a bucket to trail 14-12.
Dasia Young started the second quarter with a jumper in the paint to tie the game back up. The Bruins then put together a 7-0 run to take an eight point lead. Utah chipped away and brought the score within two thanks to a steal by Matyson Wilke and a made three from Ines Vieira. UCLA answered in the final seconds of the half to take a 32-27 lead going into the break.
Both teams came out of the half time break on a 2:30 second scoring drought. UCLA was able to break it first but McQueen slipped a screen and Alissa Pili snuck a dime to answer. Utah's next possession, Wilke hit a three to keep the momentum for the Utes. Utah battled to keep the score deficit within single digits and trailed 49-41 going into the final quarter of play.
Wilke started the fourth quarter with a made three from the right side. However, the Utah momentum didn't last long as UCLA went on an 8-0 run to take its first double digit lead of the game. Utah locked in on defense holding the Bruins to a three minute scoring drought and went on a 5-0 run. It wasn't enough as UCLA continued to attack and pulled away for the 67-57 victory over the Utes.
LEADERS
Utah had four Utes score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili who had 16 points. Kennady McQueen had 14 points including three made from beyond the arc. Ines Vieira had 11 points and four assists while Matyson Wilke added 10 points. Wilke also led the Utes with seven rebounds for a new season high.
Both Wilke and McQueen recorded four steals to help with Utah's defensive efforts.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 35 percent from the field while UCLA shot 48.1. Utah knocked down nine from beyond the arc for 30.0 percent while the Bruins hit eight from deep for 47.1 percent. Utah shot 50 percent from the free throw line while UCLA shot 81.8 percent. Utah had just eight turnovers while UCLA had 15 which the Utes converted into 11 points.
HEAR FROM THE UTES
Head Coach Lynne Roberts
Opening statement . . .
"What a hard fought game. It was incredibly physical. I think it might be the most physical game, I've ever been a part of. I want to congratulate UCLA. We were right there and they would hit big shots. They are disciplined and a total package. I have a lot of respect for them. I am incredibly proud of my team. We played as hard as we physically could. We never quit. We left some points on the table in missed free throws and layups. It's pretty impressive to only have eight turnovers with that kind of pressure. I thought our game plan was effective. Everyone on our team exhibited toughness. The tournament is over but our season isn't. Our goals in the NCAA Tournament is still in front of us. We have a couple weeks to rest and get hungry to head to the NCAA Tournament."
On the toughness of the team . . .
"It's part of our culture. We don't ever get the benefit of the doubt. We have to have a little edge. That's part of who we are. We are going to out tough you. Things are never given to us so we earn it. We recruit players that buy into that. Because of that, we've been able to endure all the adversity we've faced. The narrative around our team isn't about what we've done. I want the narrative to change around our team. Our body of work should get more credit."
On how the team responds when things don't go in their favor . . .
"I tell the kids to let me worry about the officiating and they just need to play. We know that's how it's going to be it's been that way all year. We fight, scrap and claw, whatever it takes. The players never hiccuped tonight they just kept coming back and battling."
On looking forward to March Madness. . .
"Every team in this conference knows each other so well. We know each other's play calls, every player's weaknesses and strengths. We play each other so many times that we know what it takes. Going into the NCAA Tournament is exciting to play someone different. We've spent two and a half months beating the crap out of each other in this league. Iron sharpens, iron. Our style of play is unique and if you haven't faced it you're not used to it. I think that will play into our advantage NCAA Tournament."
#35, Alissa Pili, forward
On the team's toughness . . .
"This whole season we've faced so many injuries. We are used to bouncing back. It's what our team does. That's the type of player our coaches recruit. I'm lucky to be part of it. It's a lot more fun and easier to buy in when you have a team full of players that think the same way."
#24, Kennady McQueen, guard
On the team's grit . . .
"We can't get caught up in little things like bad calls. We stick together and move on to the next play. We focus on the things we control. We aren't a team that's out there playing selfish. We want to be successful. "
On moving forward to the NCAA Tournament . . .
"The Pac-12 gets us battle tested. We learned throughout the season what we can do when we play at our best and what happens when we play at our worst. When we play with urgency we're hard to beat. Our run in the NCAA Tournament last year just gave experience. We'll rest up and get back to work. I have full confidence in this group moving forward."
NOTABLES
Utah is now 0-2 against UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament and has a 7-13 record in the tournament.
Utah's eight turnovers is the fewest turnovers under head coach Lynne Roberts in a Pac-12 Tournament game. It's also the second fewest turnovers this season.
Alissa Pili has scored 11 or more points in six of her eight Pac-12 Tournament games, including all three in a Utes uniform. She's also scored 11 or more points in nine of 11 of her career games against UCLA.
Kennady McQueen has scored double figures in five of her last six games. This was her fourth double figure game in the Pac-12 tournament.
UP NEXT
Utah will host a Selection Show watch party on March 17. More details to come.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Utah had four score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili's 16 points. Utah is now 22-10 overall on the season.
GAME SUMMARY
The Utes jumped out to a 10-6 lead over UCLA thanks to a pair of clutch made three pointers from Kennady McQueen. Utah then went on a 4:30 second scoring drought where UCLA overtook the lead with a 14-10 score. Alissa Pili did work in the paint to end the first quarter with a bucket to trail 14-12.
Dasia Young started the second quarter with a jumper in the paint to tie the game back up. The Bruins then put together a 7-0 run to take an eight point lead. Utah chipped away and brought the score within two thanks to a steal by Matyson Wilke and a made three from Ines Vieira. UCLA answered in the final seconds of the half to take a 32-27 lead going into the break.
Both teams came out of the half time break on a 2:30 second scoring drought. UCLA was able to break it first but McQueen slipped a screen and Alissa Pili snuck a dime to answer. Utah's next possession, Wilke hit a three to keep the momentum for the Utes. Utah battled to keep the score deficit within single digits and trailed 49-41 going into the final quarter of play.
Wilke started the fourth quarter with a made three from the right side. However, the Utah momentum didn't last long as UCLA went on an 8-0 run to take its first double digit lead of the game. Utah locked in on defense holding the Bruins to a three minute scoring drought and went on a 5-0 run. It wasn't enough as UCLA continued to attack and pulled away for the 67-57 victory over the Utes.
LEADERS
Utah had four Utes score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili who had 16 points. Kennady McQueen had 14 points including three made from beyond the arc. Ines Vieira had 11 points and four assists while Matyson Wilke added 10 points. Wilke also led the Utes with seven rebounds for a new season high.
Both Wilke and McQueen recorded four steals to help with Utah's defensive efforts.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 35 percent from the field while UCLA shot 48.1. Utah knocked down nine from beyond the arc for 30.0 percent while the Bruins hit eight from deep for 47.1 percent. Utah shot 50 percent from the free throw line while UCLA shot 81.8 percent. Utah had just eight turnovers while UCLA had 15 which the Utes converted into 11 points.
HEAR FROM THE UTES
Head Coach Lynne Roberts
Opening statement . . .
"What a hard fought game. It was incredibly physical. I think it might be the most physical game, I've ever been a part of. I want to congratulate UCLA. We were right there and they would hit big shots. They are disciplined and a total package. I have a lot of respect for them. I am incredibly proud of my team. We played as hard as we physically could. We never quit. We left some points on the table in missed free throws and layups. It's pretty impressive to only have eight turnovers with that kind of pressure. I thought our game plan was effective. Everyone on our team exhibited toughness. The tournament is over but our season isn't. Our goals in the NCAA Tournament is still in front of us. We have a couple weeks to rest and get hungry to head to the NCAA Tournament."
On the toughness of the team . . .
"It's part of our culture. We don't ever get the benefit of the doubt. We have to have a little edge. That's part of who we are. We are going to out tough you. Things are never given to us so we earn it. We recruit players that buy into that. Because of that, we've been able to endure all the adversity we've faced. The narrative around our team isn't about what we've done. I want the narrative to change around our team. Our body of work should get more credit."
On how the team responds when things don't go in their favor . . .
"I tell the kids to let me worry about the officiating and they just need to play. We know that's how it's going to be it's been that way all year. We fight, scrap and claw, whatever it takes. The players never hiccuped tonight they just kept coming back and battling."
On looking forward to March Madness. . .
"Every team in this conference knows each other so well. We know each other's play calls, every player's weaknesses and strengths. We play each other so many times that we know what it takes. Going into the NCAA Tournament is exciting to play someone different. We've spent two and a half months beating the crap out of each other in this league. Iron sharpens, iron. Our style of play is unique and if you haven't faced it you're not used to it. I think that will play into our advantage NCAA Tournament."
#35, Alissa Pili, forward
On the team's toughness . . .
"This whole season we've faced so many injuries. We are used to bouncing back. It's what our team does. That's the type of player our coaches recruit. I'm lucky to be part of it. It's a lot more fun and easier to buy in when you have a team full of players that think the same way."
#24, Kennady McQueen, guard
On the team's grit . . .
"We can't get caught up in little things like bad calls. We stick together and move on to the next play. We focus on the things we control. We aren't a team that's out there playing selfish. We want to be successful. "
On moving forward to the NCAA Tournament . . .
"The Pac-12 gets us battle tested. We learned throughout the season what we can do when we play at our best and what happens when we play at our worst. When we play with urgency we're hard to beat. Our run in the NCAA Tournament last year just gave experience. We'll rest up and get back to work. I have full confidence in this group moving forward."
NOTABLES
Utah is now 0-2 against UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament and has a 7-13 record in the tournament.
Utah's eight turnovers is the fewest turnovers under head coach Lynne Roberts in a Pac-12 Tournament game. It's also the second fewest turnovers this season.
Alissa Pili has scored 11 or more points in six of her eight Pac-12 Tournament games, including all three in a Utes uniform. She's also scored 11 or more points in nine of 11 of her career games against UCLA.
Kennady McQueen has scored double figures in five of her last six games. This was her fourth double figure game in the Pac-12 tournament.
UP NEXT
Utah will host a Selection Show watch party on March 17. More details to come.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Team Stats
Utah
UCLA
FG%
.350
.481
3FG%
.300
.471
FT%
.500
.818
RB
27
42
TO
8
15
STL
10
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
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