Alissa Pili scored 15 factors and Gianna Kneepkens had 14 factors and 12 rebounds to steer No. 7 Utah to a 73-59 victory over Washington State on Sunday on the Huntsman Middle.
Jenna Johnson added 14 factors and 7 boards for Utah, whereas Daisa Younger had 13 factors and Kennedy McQueen chipped in 12. Utah (22-2, 12-2 Pac-12) acquired its seventh straight win.
Bella Murekatete led Washington State (16-9, 6-8) with 18 factors and 14 rebounds, and Charlisse Leger-Walker added 17 factors.
The Cougars, who shot simply 29% from the ground within the second half, misplaced their third straight to an AP Prime 25 opponent.
Utah’s defensive strain gave Washington State issues all through the primary half, scoring 13 factors off seven pressured turnovers. Utah closed the second quarter with a 12-3 run, throughout which Pili and Younger mixed for 4 of 5 baskets.
The Utes had a 41-32 halftime lead, which Washington State minimize to 41-36 on back-to-back layups from Murekatete and Leger-Walker early within the third quarter.
However the Cougars by no means drew nearer, and the Utes finally constructed a 19-point lead halfway by the fourth quarter, going up 68-49 on back-to-back baskets from Kneepkens and McQueen.
BIG PICTURE
Washington State: The Cougars had been robust on the glass towards Utah however undercut their probability at pulling an upset by struggling to care for the ball.
Utah: Relentless protection served the Utes properly in a recreation the place the pictures weren’t falling as ceaselessly as normal.
UP NEXT
Washington State: Hosts Oregon on Friday.
Utah: Visits Arizona on Friday.