Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Utah defeated McNeese 118-50, overcoming a slow start with a 38-point second quarter.
- Gianna Kneekens led Utah with 24 points, while Maye Toure added 21 points and eight rebounds.
- Utah forced 25 turnovers, scoring 37 points from them, and shot 60% overall.
SALT LAKE CITY — Lynne Roberts' starting unit wasn't getting it done to open the game.
The game was sloppy, the shots weren't falling, and it was a generally inconsistent style of play for the home Utes. But forward Reese Ross and guard Maty Wilke steadied the game when they checked in, and Utah was finally off and running against McNeese.
The reset of sorts changed the tone of the game as the Utes turned a slow start into an explosion of offense in the second quarter. Utah used a 38-point quarter to overwhelm the Cowgirls en route to a 118-50 Monday night win.
Utah (3-1) forced McNeese (3-1) into 16 first-half turnovers, which translated to 26 points on the other end for the Utes. The Cowgirls ended the night with 25 turnovers and Utah capitalized with 37 points.
All the positive momentum in the second quarter carried over in the third quarter, as Utah pushed the lead past 40 and eclipsed 99 points by the time the quarter ended after extended scoring runs.
Gianna Kneekens led all scores with 24 points, including four of the team's 13 3-pointers, in only 16 minutes of action. Maye Toure added 21 points and eight rebounds in a dominant performance in the post for the Utes, who outscored the Cowgirls 54-12 in the post and finished a positive 17 rebound margin.
Wilke finished with 19 points, including four 3-pointer, and six assists; while Ross added 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the win.
The Cowgirls had 13 people play in the game, and was led in scoring by Azjah Reeves' 11 points as the only player in double figures. Kiarya Ellis fouled out before the fourth quarter started, and McNeese had four other players in foul trouble before the final frame began.
McNeese shot just 26% from the floor and had the majority of its points come from the bench (27 points).
Utah finished the night shooting 60% from the field and 59% from 3-point range, while assisting on 27 of the team's 41 made buckets.
