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LOGAN — Utah women's basketball jumped out to a hot start, with a complete team effort to take a 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter in the team's first road contest of the season against Utah State.
But the Utes got a bit careless with the ball in the ensuing quarter, a little porous on defense, and allowed the Aggies to make a run. It all amounted to the home team outscoring Utah 23-14 in the second quarter to cut the lead down to 8 at the halftime break.
That's the closest Utah State ever got as Utah took complete control of the second half, clamping down on defense and hitting a rhythm on offense en route to a 90-53 win Friday night.
Utah had four players finish in double figures, with Lani White topping all scores with 19 points, including going 3-of-7 from 3-point range, and five rebounds in the win. Freshman Avery Hjelmstad added 16 points, including three 3-pointers, to build off a strong season-opening performance in the week.
As a team, Utah shot 58% from the field, while holding Utah State to just 33% shooting. The Utes managed 12 3-pointers on the night (on 50% shooting), but dominated in the post, outscoring the Aggies 48-26.
Additionally, the Utes had 25 assists on 37 made baskets, while getting 37 points from the bench.
Utah State finished with three players in double figures, with Marina Asensio finishing with a team-high 12 points and three rebounds.
Utah opened up the game with four players scoring 5 points in the opening quarter in a balanced scoring effort — including White, Hjelmstad, Brooke Walker and Maty Wilke — while shooting 71.4% from the field as a team.
Forward Chyra Evans got her first action in a Utah uniform in two seasons Friday after suffering a season-ending injury last year before the season. She helped secure a post defensive presence, while contributing 8 points, seven rebounds and three assists in her first game.
