No. 3 Stanford at No. 8 Utah | Pac-12 | 2.25.23

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SALT LAKE CITY - For the first time ever, the Utah Utes are Pac-12 Champions after taking down No. 3 Stanford 84-78 on Saturday afternoon.
Utah now jumps to 25-3 overall on the season and 15-3 in the Pac-12. Stanford now sits at 27-4 overall on the season and 15-3 in the Pac-12.
Stanford started the game on a 9-0 run and then Utah's Jenna Johnson knocked down a three pointer to put the Utes on the board and spark a 10-0 Utes' run. Stanford was able to edge ahead and managed a 17-15 lead over Utah at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Utes responded and outscored the Cardinal 25-17 by executing 10 points from the free throw line. Utah ended the half on an 8-3 run to take a 40-34.
Utah started the second half by forcing a Stanford turnover as Kennady McQueen got the steal to set up a made jumper by Alissa Pili. Later in the third quarter, Issy Palmer knocked down a three pointer to give Utah a 12-point lead. The Cardinal fought back with a 10-1 run to bring the score within two but with one second left in the third quarter, Pili knocked down a three to give Utah a 62-57 lead.
The Utes held onto the lead the entire fourth quarter and never let off the gas as Utah made history taking down Stanford 84-78.
LEADERS
Utah had three Utes score in double figures and were led by Gianna Kneepkens who had 28 points for a season high performance. Kneepkens went 7-13 from the field and 5-9 from the three and added 9-12 from the free throw line.
Pili had 14 points for the Utes and McQueen came away with 10. McQueen led Utah with four assists, six steals for a career high and pulled down five boards. Dasia Young led Utah with six rebounds.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 41 percent from the field, 44 percent from beyond the arc, and 79 percent from the free throw line. Utah ended the game with 18 assists on 23 made field goals.
Stanford shot 48 percent from the field, 43 percent from the three and 65 percent from the free throw line. The Cardinal had 22 assists on 29 made field goals.
Utah had a big defensive game coming away with 10 steals and forcing 21 turnovers. The Utes scored 26 points off Stanford turnovers.
STAND OUT STATS
Utah is now 4-2 over ranked opponents this season. This is the second time in school history Utah has ever beat Stanford.
This is the highest ranking of a team Utah has defeated in school history.
Utah's 9,611 fans is the highest attendance the Utes have had in both the Pac-12 and Lynne Roberts era. It's the highest recorded attendance since 1993.
This is the 12th time this season Utah has hit 10 or more threes.
WHAT HEAD COACH LYNNE ROBERTS SAID
What a great day. What a great game. The atmosphere was incredible. That's been my dream and vision since I got here. I think the reason it means so much to us is that we did it by beating Stanford. They've been just the elite program not only in our conference, but in the country for years and so much respect for them and the way they play and the way they compete. It's fair to say it means more to do this by beating them. I'm incredibly proud of my team. We battled through a tough game. In years past we would have folded when they went on some runs and we just kept answering. That's what good teams do and that's what great players do. So proud of our team and so grateful for the atmosphere today and those that came out.
UP NEXT
Utah hits the road to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Pac-12 Championship Tournament. Utah is going into the tournament as the No. 2 seed and slated to play Thursday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m. (MT). The Utes will take on the winner of No. 7 Washington State and No. 10 California.

[@cinquebleuu9408]

Goes to show on any given night still got to play the game. The stanford/colorado game could have a prelude to what can happen.

[@Zyxwvutsrq]

Please post the USC Washington state 2OT game!!! 🙏

[@WomensBasketballAlliance]

th-cam.com/video/syTQnJ89bo8/w-d-xo.html

[@orlandotocano1323]

Utes lucky Tiffany didn't screw up this one with her whistle 😮‍💨

[@u2nice3079]

Belibi should have dunk 14:59. Technical foul should have been called 22:32. Pili had little impact in this game, Utah won and still don't see the hype her, HVL, and the SC guard. Hope that Utah and Oklahoma are in the same region. Deja Young, dirty player, reminds of Deja "flop" at UNC.

[@cookiesncream_24]

Pili had little impact?! what game were you watching?🥴

[@macyrae7351]

Pls cut less