Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at TBD
TBD
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Friday, January 31
Salt Lake City, Utah
6:30 PM
University of Utah
vs
Arizona
UP NEXT: Utah to host Arizona Friday
1/30/2025 3:52 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Utes women's basketball team will continue the inaugural Big 12 season by hosting Arizona in the second matchup of the season between the Wildcats and the Utes. The last time Utah played Arizona the Utes walked away with a 69-48 victory (12/31).
The Utes are currently 15-5 on the season and 6-3 in Big 12 play after defeating in-state rival BYU 81-76 (1/25).
GAME INFORMATION
Utah (15-5, 6-3 Big 12) vs. Arizona (10-8, 1-6 Big 12)
DATE | TIME: Friday, Jan. 31 | 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Salt Lake City | Jon M. Huntsman Center
TV: FS1 | Watch
LISTEN: Click Here
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UtahWBB
HOW TO TUNE IN
Fans can watch the matchup on FS1 and the Fox Sports App with Krista Blunk and Elise Woodward 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 women's basketball team downed BYU on the road in the renewed rivalry with an 81-76 final score on Saturday afternoon. The Utes were led by Gianna Kneepkens' career-high 32 points including a career-high 10 made from the free throw line. This was Kneepkens fourth consecutive game posting 20 or more points and second consecutive game posting 30 points.
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 the current reigning Big 12 Player of the week after posting back-to-back 30 point games including a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25). Over the two games, she averaged 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals per game. She shot 58.8% from the field, 66.7% from the three and 83.3% from the line. Kneepkens' 31.0 points per game led league players during the week and ranked fourth in the country.
She is currently averaging 18.8 points per game and shooting 50.2% from the field, 47.0% from the three and 89.9% from the free throw line going 80-of-89. She is averaging 5.0 rebounds per game. She leads the Utes from beyond the arc knocking down 62 total so far on the year. She is currently in the Top 10 in every three point shooting category. Kneepkens is sitting at No. 8 in the nation, No. 2 in the Big 12 in three pointers made with 62, No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big 12 in three point percentage (47.0) and No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big 12 in three pointers made (3.10).
Kneepkens recorded back-to-back 30 point games last week and hit a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25/25) that included a career-high 10 made three pointers and tied a career-high six made three pointers.
She's put up 20 or more points six times this season. First she put up 26 points against TCU (1/17/25) that included 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 10-1 when Kneepkens hits three or more three pointers in a game. 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 ARIZONA
The Arizona Wildcats are currently 14-8 on the season and 5-4 in Big 12 play. Arizona is coming off an 77-62 win over No. 16 to West Virgina and are on a three-game win streak.
Arizona has two people averaging double figures and are led by Jada Williams who averages 12.4 points per game. Breya Cunningham also averages double figures with 12.1 points per game and leads the teams in rebounds with 7.6.
This will be the 36th meeting between the two teams. Utah has won two of its last 10 matchups with the Wildcats. The two teams last met up was earlier this season when Utah picked up its first win in Tucson since 2018 with a final score 69-48.
Utah has a 22-13 record with Arizona and are 10-4 when taking on the Wildcats in Salt Lake City.
Arizona is led by head coach Adia Barnes who is in her 9th season. She has a 164-108 record at the helm of the Wildcats.
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 15-5 on the season and 6-3 in Big 12 play after defeating in-state rival BYU 81-76 (1/25).
GAME INFORMATION
Utah (15-5, 6-3 Big 12) vs. Arizona (10-8, 1-6 Big 12)
DATE | TIME: Friday, Jan. 31 | 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Salt Lake City | Jon M. Huntsman Center
TV: FS1 | Watch
LISTEN: Click Here
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UtahWBB
HOW TO TUNE IN
Fans can watch the matchup on FS1 and the Fox Sports App with Krista Blunk and Elise Woodward 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 women's basketball team downed BYU on the road in the renewed rivalry with an 81-76 final score on Saturday afternoon. The Utes were led by Gianna Kneepkens' career-high 32 points including a career-high 10 made from the free throw line. This was Kneepkens fourth consecutive game posting 20 or more points and second consecutive game posting 30 points.
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 the current reigning Big 12 Player of the week after posting back-to-back 30 point games including a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25). Over the two games, she averaged 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals per game. She shot 58.8% from the field, 66.7% from the three and 83.3% from the line. Kneepkens' 31.0 points per game led league players during the week and ranked fourth in the country.
She is currently averaging 18.8 points per game and shooting 50.2% from the field, 47.0% from the three and 89.9% from the free throw line going 80-of-89. She is averaging 5.0 rebounds per game. She leads the Utes from beyond the arc knocking down 62 total so far on the year. She is currently in the Top 10 in every three point shooting category. Kneepkens is sitting at No. 8 in the nation, No. 2 in the Big 12 in three pointers made with 62, No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big 12 in three point percentage (47.0) and No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big 12 in three pointers made (3.10).
Kneepkens recorded back-to-back 30 point games last week and hit a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25/25) that included a career-high 10 made three pointers and tied a career-high six made three pointers.
She's put up 20 or more points six times this season. First she put up 26 points against TCU (1/17/25) that included 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 10-1 when Kneepkens hits three or more three pointers in a game. 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 ARIZONA
The Arizona Wildcats are currently 14-8 on the season and 5-4 in Big 12 play. Arizona is coming off an 77-62 win over No. 16 to West Virgina and are on a three-game win streak.
Arizona has two people averaging double figures and are led by Jada Williams who averages 12.4 points per game. Breya Cunningham also averages double figures with 12.1 points per game and leads the teams in rebounds with 7.6.
This will be the 36th meeting between the two teams. Utah has won two of its last 10 matchups with the Wildcats. The two teams last met up was earlier this season when Utah picked up its first win in Tucson since 2018 with a final score 69-48.
Utah has a 22-13 record with Arizona and are 10-4 when taking on the Wildcats in Salt Lake City.
Arizona is led by head coach Adia Barnes who is in her 9th season. She has a 164-108 record at the helm of the Wildcats.
NEW THIS WEEK
- Utah continued receiving votes in the latest poll that dropped Jan. 27.
- Gianna Kneepkens was named Big 12 Player of the Week after posting back-to-back 30 point games including a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25). Over the two games, she averaged 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals per game. She shot 58.8% from the field, 66.7% from the three and 83.3% from the line. Kneepkens' 31.0 points per game led league players during the week and ranked fourth in the country.
- Kneepkens sits in the Top 10 in the nation in three statistical categories
- No. 6 three point percentage (47.0)
- No. 8 total three pointers (62)
- No. 7 three pointers per game (3.10)
- The Utes are 10-1 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 18.8 points per game shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 47.0 percent from the three. She also leads the team in made three pointers with 62 and free throws with 80.
- 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 is currently in the top 30 nationally in seven major statistical categories:
- No. 30 assist/turnover ration (1.20)
- No. 13 assists per game (18.7)
- No. 22 field goal percentage (46.7)
- No. 33 scoring offense (77.6)
- No. 21 three point attempts per game (26.4)
- No. 10 three pointers per game (9.8)
- No. 11 three point percentage (37.2)
- Inês Vieira is currently No. 34 in the nation and No. 6 in the Big 12 in total assists with 102. She is also No. 38 nationally, No. 6 in the Big 12 in assists per game (5.1).
- Gianna Kneepkens is currently No. 21 in the nation and leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage with 89.9.
- Kneepkens recently jumped to No. 32 in the nation in scoring with 376 total points on the season and No. 39 in points per game with 18.8.
- She is currently in the Top 10 in every three point shooting category. Kneepkens is sitting at No. 8 in the nation, No. 2 in the Big 12 in three pointers made with 62, No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big 12 in three point percentage (47.0) and No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big 12 in three pointers made (3.10).
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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