On Friday, the Utah Women’s Basketball team had a tough game against TCU on the road in Texas. Despite an impressive 26 points from Gianna Kneepkens, the Utes fell short 73-81.
First Half
The Utes started the game with a layup from Mayè Tourè in the first minute of gameplay, before TCU drained three buckets in a row. This run was quickly halted by a Kneepkens layup, before TCU answered with a three and a layup. Due to this explosive beginning, the quarter became more defensive-minded for both sides. After some free throws by Kneepkens to end the quarter, the Utes found themselves down, ending the quarter at 9-19.
To start the second, Reese Ross made a layup to try to give the Utes some firepower. However, TCU remained unable to miss it seemed, as they drained three baskets once again. However, Maty Wilke answered with two of her own buckets, a three and a layup. The Utes once again were not be able to keep up with the TCU offense, and could not seem to kickstart their own. Utah found themselves down going into halftime, sitting at 24-45.
Second Half
In the third quarter, the Utes jumped back in with a two by Tourè and a three by Kneepkens. After a layup by the opposing team, the Utes caught fire. Utah ended up scoring nine points and allowing minimal opportunities for the Horned Frogs, but they were still down by 12. Back-to-back threes by Wilke and Sam Crispe gave the Utes some momentum, but TCU once again showed their top ten rank and drained two back-to-back buckets to push back, putting the Utes back down at 47-60.
With the last quarter underway, the Utes found themselves in need to score and play improved defense. Utah and TCU quickly found themselves on the same level of scoring, with buckets coming left and right from both sides. After a Wilkes three, Ines Vieira claimed her own two. Kneepkens followed with another three, helping Utah to get going. Kneepkens then took off, draining another three before Vieira scored a fastbreak layup, getting the Utes within six of TCU. The Horned Frogs executed their own run, pushing ahead by 12. Soon after, the Utes came running again, scoring an 8-1 run to be down by five. Unfortunately, the effort was not quite enough with just 31 seconds of play left. Utah ended the quarter by playing the foul game, and TCU neglected to miss any of their remaining free throws, ending the game at 73-81.
Next Up
The Utes’ next game will take place against Kansas tonight. You can catch the game at the Huntsman Center and on ESPN+.
