Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at TBD
TBD
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Wednesday, January 22
Salt Lake City, Utah
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
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Kansas
UP NEXT: Utah Returns to SLC to Host Kansas For First Time
1/20/2025 5:32 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Utes women's basketball team will continue the inaugural Big 12 season by hosting Kansas for the first time on Wednesday, January 22 at 7 p.m.
The Utes are currently 13-5 on the season and 4-3 in Big 12 play after falling 81-73 to No. 9 TCU (Jan. 17).
GAME INFORMATION
Utah (13-5, 4-2 Big 12) vs. Kansas (12-6, 2-5 Big 12)
DATE | TIME: Wednesday, Jan. 22 | 7 p.m. (MT)
LOCATION: Salt Lake City | Jon M. Huntsman Center
TV: ESPN+ | Watch
LISTEN: Click Here
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UtahWBB
HOW TO TUNE IN
Fans can watch the match up on ESPN+ with Tony Parks and Angela Taylor on the call. The radio call will be on ESPN700 and can be found on the TuneIn app, with Tyson Ewing and Milee Rustand calling the action.
LAST TIME OUT
Utah battled in a fight against No. 10 TCU after cutting a 21-point deficit at the half to fall just 81-73 to the Horned Frogs Friday night. Utah was led by Gianna Kneepkens' season-high performance of 26 points. Matyson Wilke had 14 points for Utah while Reese Ross added 11 to Utah's totals. Inês Vieira added nine points for the Utes. Jenna Johnson led the Utes on the boards pulling down eight rebounds and added five assists to Utah's offensive efforts.
THE UTES
Utah returns four starters from last year's squad including 2022-23 All-American Gianna Kneepkens. Kneepkens returns after suffering a season ending injury early in the 2023-24 season. Utah also brought back starters Jenna Johnson, Kennady McQueen and Inês Vieira. Other key players returning are Matyson Wilke, Samantha Crispe and Reese Ross. The Utes welcome two transfers in Chyra Evans and Mayé Touré and three true freshmen in Grace Foster, Kylie Ray and Brooke Walker.
KNOWING KNEEPKENS
Kneepkens is currently averaging 17.4 points per game and shooting 48.7% from the field, 43.9% from the three and 90.9% from the free throw line going 70-of-77. She is averaging 4.5 rebounds per game. She leads the Utes from beyond the arc knocking down 50 total so far on the year. She is ranked No. 16 in the nation and leads the Big 12 with her 90.9 percent from the free throw line.
Kneepkens hit a season high 26 points against TCU (1/17/25). She put up 17 points in the fourth quarter including three made from beyond the arc. She has hit 24 points three times this season first vs. McNeese (11/18/24) she hit 24 points in just 21 minutes of game play. Second, she hit 24 points against Washington (12/14/24) with 14 points coming in the fourth quarter alone. Most recently Kneepkens started Big 12 play with 24 points against Arizona State (12/21/24).
Prior to her injury in 2023-24, Kneepkens played just eight games and was averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 54.0 percent from beyond the arc. She averaged 5.5 rebounds and four assists per game.
Utah is 8-1 when Kneepekens hits three or more three pointers in a game. She posted a season-high of four made threes four times so far with the last time coming against Arizona (12/31/24). She is a 1,000 point scorer as she broke the 1,000-point milestone last season when she put up 19 against Carroll College (Nov. 28, 2023).
She was named to both the Naismith Player of the Year and Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watchlists. Kneepkens was also placed on the Big 12 Preseason All-Conference team.
IN THE RANKS
The Utes received votes in the latest AP Top 25 Poll. Utah was ranked as high as #22 this season (Jan. 6) and received votes for five consecutive weeks prior to cracking the Top 25 the week of Jan. 6.
HEAD COACH GAVIN PETERSEN
Petersen was named the head coach of the Utah women's basketball team on Nov. 19, 2024 just four games into the 2024-25 season. He brings 23 seasons of college coaching experience to the role, he is in his 10th season overall with the Utes and spent the previous five years as associate head coach under Lynne Roberts.
Petersen has been a part of the staff that has led the Utes to six postseason appearances—including three NCAA tournaments and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen—and four 20-win seasons, as well as regular appearances in the AP Top 25.
SCOUTING KANSAS
The Kansas Jayhawks are currently 12-6 on the season and 2-5 in Big 12 play. Kansas is coming off a 59-74 loss to Arizona and have lost five of its last seven games.
KU has two people averaging double figures and are led by S'Mya Nichols who averages 20.7 points per game. She leads the NCAA in free throws attempted (187) and free throws made (154). She's also #13 in the NCAA in points per game (20.7) and #19 in total points (373).
This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Kansas is led by head coach Brandon Schneider who is in his 10th season. He has a 139-155 record at the helm of the Jayhawks.
NEW THIS WEEK
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience, from managing tickets to mobile concessions ordering, as well as video content, news and information, schedules, rosters and stats. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along during the 2024-25 season on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
The Utes are currently 13-5 on the season and 4-3 in Big 12 play after falling 81-73 to No. 9 TCU (Jan. 17).
GAME INFORMATION
Utah (13-5, 4-2 Big 12) vs. Kansas (12-6, 2-5 Big 12)
DATE | TIME: Wednesday, Jan. 22 | 7 p.m. (MT)
LOCATION: Salt Lake City | Jon M. Huntsman Center
TV: ESPN+ | Watch
LISTEN: Click Here
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UtahWBB
HOW TO TUNE IN
Fans can watch the match up on ESPN+ with Tony Parks and Angela Taylor on the call. The radio call will be on ESPN700 and can be found on the TuneIn app, with Tyson Ewing and Milee Rustand calling the action.
LAST TIME OUT
Utah battled in a fight against No. 10 TCU after cutting a 21-point deficit at the half to fall just 81-73 to the Horned Frogs Friday night. Utah was led by Gianna Kneepkens' season-high performance of 26 points. Matyson Wilke had 14 points for Utah while Reese Ross added 11 to Utah's totals. Inês Vieira added nine points for the Utes. Jenna Johnson led the Utes on the boards pulling down eight rebounds and added five assists to Utah's offensive efforts.
THE UTES
Utah returns four starters from last year's squad including 2022-23 All-American Gianna Kneepkens. Kneepkens returns after suffering a season ending injury early in the 2023-24 season. Utah also brought back starters Jenna Johnson, Kennady McQueen and Inês Vieira. Other key players returning are Matyson Wilke, Samantha Crispe and Reese Ross. The Utes welcome two transfers in Chyra Evans and Mayé Touré and three true freshmen in Grace Foster, Kylie Ray and Brooke Walker.
KNOWING KNEEPKENS
Kneepkens is currently averaging 17.4 points per game and shooting 48.7% from the field, 43.9% from the three and 90.9% from the free throw line going 70-of-77. She is averaging 4.5 rebounds per game. She leads the Utes from beyond the arc knocking down 50 total so far on the year. She is ranked No. 16 in the nation and leads the Big 12 with her 90.9 percent from the free throw line.
Kneepkens hit a season high 26 points against TCU (1/17/25). She put up 17 points in the fourth quarter including three made from beyond the arc. She has hit 24 points three times this season first vs. McNeese (11/18/24) she hit 24 points in just 21 minutes of game play. Second, she hit 24 points against Washington (12/14/24) with 14 points coming in the fourth quarter alone. Most recently Kneepkens started Big 12 play with 24 points against Arizona State (12/21/24).
Prior to her injury in 2023-24, Kneepkens played just eight games and was averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 54.0 percent from beyond the arc. She averaged 5.5 rebounds and four assists per game.
Utah is 8-1 when Kneepekens hits three or more three pointers in a game. She posted a season-high of four made threes four times so far with the last time coming against Arizona (12/31/24). She is a 1,000 point scorer as she broke the 1,000-point milestone last season when she put up 19 against Carroll College (Nov. 28, 2023).
She was named to both the Naismith Player of the Year and Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watchlists. Kneepkens was also placed on the Big 12 Preseason All-Conference team.
IN THE RANKS
The Utes received votes in the latest AP Top 25 Poll. Utah was ranked as high as #22 this season (Jan. 6) and received votes for five consecutive weeks prior to cracking the Top 25 the week of Jan. 6.
HEAD COACH GAVIN PETERSEN
Petersen was named the head coach of the Utah women's basketball team on Nov. 19, 2024 just four games into the 2024-25 season. He brings 23 seasons of college coaching experience to the role, he is in his 10th season overall with the Utes and spent the previous five years as associate head coach under Lynne Roberts.
Petersen has been a part of the staff that has led the Utes to six postseason appearances—including three NCAA tournaments and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen—and four 20-win seasons, as well as regular appearances in the AP Top 25.
SCOUTING KANSAS
The Kansas Jayhawks are currently 12-6 on the season and 2-5 in Big 12 play. Kansas is coming off a 59-74 loss to Arizona and have lost five of its last seven games.
KU has two people averaging double figures and are led by S'Mya Nichols who averages 20.7 points per game. She leads the NCAA in free throws attempted (187) and free throws made (154). She's also #13 in the NCAA in points per game (20.7) and #19 in total points (373).
This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Kansas is led by head coach Brandon Schneider who is in his 10th season. He has a 139-155 record at the helm of the Jayhawks.
NEW THIS WEEK
- Utah dropped out of the AP Top 25 Poll after being ranked for two consecutive weeks. Utah did continue receiving votes in the latest poll that dropped Jan. 20.
- Against Baylor, Gianna Kneepkens knocked down two from beyond the arc to become the seventh Ute in school history to hit 200 career threes.
- Against TCU, Gianna Kneepkens posted a new season-high of 26 points. She had 17 points in the fourth quarter including three made from deep.
- The Utes are 8-1 in games when Gianna Kneepkens hits three or more three pointers in a game.
- Utah's 78-67 win over No. 3 Notre Dame marks the highest ranked win while traveling in school history. Previously, the record for the highest ranked neutral site game was during the 2002-03 season when Utah defeated No. 14 Mississippi State 69-65. The previous record for highest ranked win outside of Salt Lake City was last season when Utah defeated No. 6 USC with a 74-68 score in Los Angeles (2/25/24).
- This is back-to-back seasons the Utes have taken down top-10 teams away from the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
- Gavin Petersen became the fastest head coach in school history to get a win over a top-10 team. Accomplishing the feat in just four games when Utah downed No. 3 Notre Dame 78-67 (11/30/24).
- Utah's 105 points against SUU (11/4/24), marked the first time in school history the Utes scored 100 or more points in the season opener in back-to-back seasons.
- Utah's 118 points against McNeese (11/18/24) marks the second highest points scored in a game in Utah program history. The record stands at 124 which has occurred twice, with the most recent time coming in 2022-23 against Oklahoma State.
- In Utah's 67-57 win over Washington, the Utes trailed by 10 points going into the fourth quarter. The Utes outscored the Huskies 27-7 in the fourth quarter to pull out the win. At the time, Utah was one of six teams to overcome a double digit deficit for a victory.
- Gianna Kneepkens has left no doubts with her comeback as she leads the team averaging 17.4 points per game shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from the three. She also leads the team in made three pointers with 50 and free throws with 70.
- At the helm for the Utes is Gavin Petersen who is in his first season as head coach and 10th overall season at Utah. He was named head coach Nov. 19, 2024 just four games into the season.
- Utah welcomes two transfers (Chyra Evans and Mayè Tourè) and three true freshmen (Brooke Walker, Grace Foster and Kylie Ray) to this year's squad.
- Utah is currently in the top 30 nationally in six major statistical categories:
- No. 14 assists per game (18.4)
- No. 26 field goal percentage (46.7)
- No. 30 free throw percentage (76.9)
- No. 25 three point attempts per game (26.2)
- No. 15 three pointers per game (9.6)
- No. 21 three point percentage (36.5)
- Inês Vieira is currently No. 28 in the nation and No. 6 in the Big 12 in total assists with 95. She is also No. 29 nationally, No. 7 in the Big 12 in assists per game (5.3).
- Gianna Kneepkens is currently No. 16 in the nation and leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage with 90.9.
- Kneepkens is currently No. 19 in the nation, No. 3 in the Big 12 in three pointers made with 50. She's also No. 26 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big 12 in three point percentage (43.9) and No. 24 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big 12 in three pointers made (2.78).
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience, from managing tickets to mobile concessions ordering, as well as video content, news and information, schedules, rosters and stats. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along during the 2024-25 season on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
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