Maye Toure's milestone, Gavin Petersen's 1st win highlight Utah's thrilling OT victory

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah women's basketball team delivered an unforgettable performance in its 72-71 overtime win against the Saint Joseph's Hawks on Wednesday night at the Huntsman Center.

The game highlighted several milestones, including Maye Toure surpassing 1,000 career points and Gavin Petersen securing his first victory as head coach of the Utes.

"Despite change, everything we've worked for and talked about is still right there in front of us," Petersen said. "I'm extremely excited about this group and this team."

The Utes opened the game strong, claiming a 16-7 lead after the first quarter, powered by a balanced attack and suffocating defense. By halftime, Utah maintained control with a 34-27 advantage.

But the Hawks clawed back in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 48-42 behind standout performances from Laura Ziegler (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Gabby Casey (21 points).

In a tense overtime period, Utah's Gianna Kneepkens, who scored 14 points for the game, fouled out and left the team without one of its key offensive leaders.

But Kennedy McQueen (14 points) and Touré stepped up in critical moments, including Toure's game-winning jumper in the paint to seal the victory for the Utes. Toure finished with 12 point, nine rebounds and three blocks.

Point guard Ines Vieira also played a pivotal role in the win, facilitating the offense with five assists, two steals, and 7 points.

The victory was a testament to the Utes' defensive prowess and ability to execute in high-pressure moments. Utah's defense held Saint Joseph's to just 27 first-half points, setting the tone for the gritty finish.

Now riding a two-game win streak, the Utes (4-1) return to the Huntsman Center on Sunday to host Montana State. Meanwhile, Saint Joseph's (4-1) will look to bounce back as they hit the road to face Saint Francis and Villanova.

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