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TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State had no answer for Gianna Kneepkens and Kennady McQueen Saturday afternoon — and, admittedly, few teams in the Big 12 have.
The duo combined for 44 points, and drained 10 of the team's 18 made 3-pointers — a season high — as the Utah women overwhelmed the Sun Devils 98-62 on their home court to sweep the series between the two teams.
Kneepkens was deadly behind the 3-point line, making four triples, but was a threat everywhere else, too. As Arizona State (8-18, 2-12 Big 12) attempted to limit the veteran wing on 3-point attempts, Kneepkens beat the defense with backdoor cuts or transition layups.
But on the off chance the post defense limited Kneepkens, she spotted up to hit another 3-pointer to frustrate any attempts to stop her.
Kneepkens was a problem for the defense, and McQueen made the afternoon game even tougher. The senior guard found herself open on several occasions to hit six 3-pointers on eight attempts — including a back-to-back series late in the third quarter to lift Utah to a 26-point lead.
Kneepkens finished with a double-double and a team-high 24 points and 12 rebounds, while McQueen added 20 points and three rebounds in the win for Utah (20-5, 11-3 Big 12). The win keeps the Utes one game outside of first place in the Big 12 standings.
The Utes jumped out to an early 11-4 lead to set the tone, largely behind Maye Toure's quick 7 points. And from there, Utah went to work from behind the 3-point line, hitting 11 first-half triples, to take a 49-34 lead at the halftime break.
Utah then outscored Arizona State 27-15 — including a 16th team 3-pointer by Maty Wilke with five seconds left — in the third quarter to put the Sun Devils away for good.
Wilke added 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting from behind the arc, and Toure finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Sun Devils had two players finish in double figures, with Tyi Skinner leading the charge with 20 points on a day when Arizona State shot 34% from the field. Jalyn Brown contributed 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
