Scary moment for the Utes: Kneepkens fell to the floor on a non-contact injury with 1:39 remaining. Gustin paced BYU with 17 points, 13 rebounds and three assists before fouling out late, while freshman guard Kailey Woolston put up 17 points, two steals and an assist. McQueen added 18 points while shooting 6 of 10 and also had two assists and a blocked shot, while Gianna Kneepkens (17) and Johnson (13) also scored in double-figures. The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year had 23 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots.

Stars of the night: Utah had several standouts, led by Pili. To see that first one go in gives you a little extra confidence boost for sure,” McQueen said. Four of Utah’s first five made field goals were 3-pointers, including two from McQueen in the game’s first five minutes. That tone was set when Utah star forward Alissa Pili emphatically blocked a Lauren Gustin shot on BYU’s first possession, which led to a turnover on a travel call against the Cougars.Īfter a few minutes of relatively close back-and-forth play, Utah broke the game open by going on a 10-0 run to build a 20-6 lead.ĭuring that span, Pili and fellow front court player Jenna Johnson each hit a 3. The Utes were the aggressors from the opening moments. “Just playing in it now is pretty crazy - it’s a full-circle moment for sure.” The biggest factor “I grew up in a big Utah house, absolutely love that rivalry,” said Utah junior guard Kennady McQueen, a Henefer native.

It’s Utah’s second straight win in the series and its fourth in the past five matchups. The Utes, the nation’s top scoring team, shot 53.4% from the field in blowing past their rival Cougars 87-68 at the Huntsman Center on Saturday night. BYU learned the hard way just how difficult it is to defend the No.

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