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WACO, Texas — The No. 23 Utah women's basketball team faced a tough road test Tuesday evening, falling to Baylor 70-61 at the Ferrell Center.
Despite the defeat, Utah (13-4, 4-2 Big 12) displayed moments of success, led by the dominant performance of Maty Wilke, who recorded 17 points and three rebounds, and proved to be a consistent offensive and defensive anchor for the Utes.
Gianna Kneepkens continued to showcase her versatility, contributing another 17 points, two rebounds, and three assists, while also tallying her 200th made 3-pointer of her career.
Utah kept the game close in the first half, trailing by just 9 points at the break. The Utes defense forced Baylor into contested shots early, and a balanced offensive attack helped the Utes stay within striking distance; however, turnovers in crucial moments proved costly, allowing Baylor (15-3, 5-1 Big 12) to capitalize and pull away.
200 MADE 3's@giannakneepkens becomes the 7th Ute in program history to reach 200 made 3-pointers#GoUtespic.twitter.com/dwVmn9w5ZF
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 15, 2025
The Bears, who were riding a three-game winning streak heading into the matchup, extended their run with a balanced effort. Aaronette Vonleh led Baylor with 19 points, shooting an efficient 9-of-12 from the field. Bella Fontleroy and Jada Walker both secured double-doubles, highlighting Baylor's depth and teamwork.
Tuesday's game marked the third all-time meeting between Utah and Baylor, with the Utes still searching for their first win in the series. The last time these two programs met, Utah narrowly fell 84-77 in Waco during the 2023 season.
The Bears get the home UPSET WIN over No. 23 Utah 🙌#NCAAWBB x @BaylorWBBpic.twitter.com/5BdPE8uhcC
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) January 15, 2025
The Utes will look to bounce back as they continue their inaugural Big 12 season, staying on the road for another tough test against No. 10 TCU.
The matchup presents a significant challenge for Utah as they aim to strengthen their position in the conference standings and make a statement against a top-ranked opponent. The Utes have shown they possess the talent and resilience to compete at the highest level.
Tuesday's game against Baylor underscored the importance of limiting mistakes, and Utah will look to apply those lessons as they prepare to face a formidable Horned Frogs team.
