Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Ute Freshmen Stepping Up in Pac-12 Play
1/2/2017 12:50 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – Kiana Moore and Megan Jacobs were playing high school basketball one year ago. Now, the Utah freshmen are competing and making a difference in arguably the top conference in NCAA women's basketball.
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Moore, a Fairfield, Calif., product played a large roll in Utah's first Pac-12 win, 58-53 Sunday afternoon at USC.
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"I thought (Moore) was the key to getting us going in that second half," head coach Lynne Roberts praised. "She did a great job getting to the bucket and that took some pressure off."
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Moore's contributions early in the fourth quarter helped fuel Utah past the Trojans. Moore finished with eight points and four rebounds. Fellow freshman Jacobs chipped in with four points and three rebounds in her second Pac-12 game.
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"Coach told me to look to go to the basket when I come off the screens," Moore said. "For UCLA's game I looked more to feed the ball to my teammates, but against USC I looked for my teammates and saw when I could drive to the basket."
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Jacobs totaled seven points and shot 50 percent in games at UCLA and USC, connecting on 3-of-6 from the floor, including 1-2 from 3-point range.
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"College basketball, in general, is just a different pace that what I've experience before," Jacobs said after her first taste of Pac-12 action. "I think we had a good nonconference, and opening with UCLA was a good test for us to see where we are and where we need to be."
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Moore plays behind sophomore guard Erika Bean, who ranks in the top 10 in assists with 7.2 per game and second on the Utes in rebounds per game (4.8).
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"It means a lot because it means the coaches trust me to come in and make an impact, or at least keep the same pace that Bean brings.," Moore stated.
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Lone senior Paige Crozon is the most tenured player on the Utes and Jacobs has some large shoes to fill, but appreciates the learning opportunity.
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"It means a lot because this program is very rich. Playing behind Paige, I really learn a lot in practices and games," Jacobs said. "She's a great leader and I try to emulate what she brings to the court as well as her attitude and leadership skills."
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Moore's top performance of the season came in November with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc, against in-state foe Utah Valley. Jacobs also found herself in an offensive grove against Utah Valley, scoring eight points, including two 3-pointers.
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Both rookies are averaging just over a quarter of action per game and appreciate the time they're receiving to start a four-year journey, but anticipate there's more to learn.
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"I definitely want to look to attack the rim more and not just look for the pass, although that's a large part of my role as well," Moore stated." I want to help make plays for my teammates and find ways to win."
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"I think I can be more aggressive," Jacobs said. "Playing in the Pac-12 there's always going to be room for improvement and I want to always get better."
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The two freshmen join the rest of their team Friday to host Arizona State at 7 p.m. MT and Arizona Sunday at noon MT at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Both league matchups will be aired on the Pac-12 Network.
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Moore, a Fairfield, Calif., product played a large roll in Utah's first Pac-12 win, 58-53 Sunday afternoon at USC.
Â
"I thought (Moore) was the key to getting us going in that second half," head coach Lynne Roberts praised. "She did a great job getting to the bucket and that took some pressure off."
Â
Moore's contributions early in the fourth quarter helped fuel Utah past the Trojans. Moore finished with eight points and four rebounds. Fellow freshman Jacobs chipped in with four points and three rebounds in her second Pac-12 game.
Â
"Coach told me to look to go to the basket when I come off the screens," Moore said. "For UCLA's game I looked more to feed the ball to my teammates, but against USC I looked for my teammates and saw when I could drive to the basket."
Â
Jacobs totaled seven points and shot 50 percent in games at UCLA and USC, connecting on 3-of-6 from the floor, including 1-2 from 3-point range.
Â
"College basketball, in general, is just a different pace that what I've experience before," Jacobs said after her first taste of Pac-12 action. "I think we had a good nonconference, and opening with UCLA was a good test for us to see where we are and where we need to be."
Â
Moore plays behind sophomore guard Erika Bean, who ranks in the top 10 in assists with 7.2 per game and second on the Utes in rebounds per game (4.8).
Â
"It means a lot because it means the coaches trust me to come in and make an impact, or at least keep the same pace that Bean brings.," Moore stated.
Â
Lone senior Paige Crozon is the most tenured player on the Utes and Jacobs has some large shoes to fill, but appreciates the learning opportunity.
Â
"It means a lot because this program is very rich. Playing behind Paige, I really learn a lot in practices and games," Jacobs said. "She's a great leader and I try to emulate what she brings to the court as well as her attitude and leadership skills."
Â
Moore's top performance of the season came in November with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc, against in-state foe Utah Valley. Jacobs also found herself in an offensive grove against Utah Valley, scoring eight points, including two 3-pointers.
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Both rookies are averaging just over a quarter of action per game and appreciate the time they're receiving to start a four-year journey, but anticipate there's more to learn.
Â
"I definitely want to look to attack the rim more and not just look for the pass, although that's a large part of my role as well," Moore stated." I want to help make plays for my teammates and find ways to win."
Â
"I think I can be more aggressive," Jacobs said. "Playing in the Pac-12 there's always going to be room for improvement and I want to always get better."
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The two freshmen join the rest of their team Friday to host Arizona State at 7 p.m. MT and Arizona Sunday at noon MT at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Both league matchups will be aired on the Pac-12 Network.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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