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
Utah Women's Basketball Inks Four
11/8/2017 6:11 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY –University of Utah women's basketball head coach Lynne Roberts announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent today.
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"The Pac-12 is big," Roberts said. "There is athleticism and size, and you have to have both. I think these four embody that and the third component with this group is their versatility. They aren't going to be pigeonholed into one position. It is fun to see it all coming together."
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Niyah Becker (Winnipeg, Manitoba), Dre'una Edwards (Las Vegas, Nev.), Lola Pendande (Roquetas de Mar, Spain) and Andrea Torres (Montreal, Quebec) will join the 2018-19 Utes, giving added size and athleticism to an already stacked team.
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All four newcomers are 6-2 or taller and have a combined 20-plus games of international playing experience under their belts. With Arianna LaLonde and Dru Gylten redshirting this season, the Utah freshman class next year will have an added edge.
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The ties between the newcomers and the current team are strong, with Torres and Becker becoming the 16th and 17th Canadian-born student-athletes to come through the Utah women's basketball program. Add in Edwards, who battled against current guard Megan Jacobs during her time in Nevada preps, the Ute chemistry is expected to be strong next season.
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"I think this is a really good class for us," Roberts said. "It is a great group and they were all very highly recruited. I am proud of my staff, I think they dug down and competed and we got really good kids because of it."
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Utah Women's Basketball 2018-19 Signees
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Niyah Becker, 6-2, Wing, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Lincoln Prep)
Quick Facts: Has seen action in six international games with the Canadian National Team … suited up for Canada as a member of the Cadet National Team at the World Championships in Spain in 2016 … played in three games in Spain in exhibition play and then in three games at the U17 FIBA World Championships … helped Manitoba to a second place finish at the AAAA Girls Provincial Championships in 2017, earning a spot on the tournament All-Star team … scored 34 points and brought down 11 rebounds in the bronze medal match at the Canada Summer Games in 2017 for Manitoba … averaged 17.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game at the U15 National Championships for Manitoba in 2015 … was chosen as one of four Canadian women to attend the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Camp in 2016.
Why Utah: "I felt that it was a perfect fit for me as a player and a person. I really connected with the coaching staff."
Roberts on Becker: "She is a leftie and on top of that has size and length. Her father played basketball at Colorado. He is in charge of basketball at Manitoba up in Winnipeg, so he has been training her for a long time. She is already in the Canadian National Team system and I anticipate her to be an Olympian someday. She is a natural athlete where she can shoot, slash and rebound and even be the point of the press for us. She is going to be really good."
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Dre'una Edwards, 6-2, Wing/Forward, Las Vegas, Nev. (Liberty HS)
Quick Facts: Was named the Player of the Year in the Southwest League in 2016-17 … averaged 16.8 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks her junior season … helped her team to a 31-3 record in 2016-17 and to an appearance in the state semifinals … was named to the USA Today All-USA Nevada Girls Basketball First-Team in 2017 … played her first two seasons of high school at Canyon Springs … plays for the Fresno Heat Elite club team.
Why Utah: "I chose Utah because it was a great fit for me. The team is really nice, energetic and competitive. I love that. Also, the coaching staff is great. There is a lot of support here at Utah."
Roberts on Edwards: "Dre'una is probably one of the most unique players that I will get to coach. She is going to be almost like a point guard/forward type of player. She can make plays, but it is unique to have a 6-2, power forward be that type of player. She plays with an edge and is unlike anyone else we have on our roster."
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Lola Pendande, 6-3, Forward, Roquetas de Mar, Spain (Ribet Academy)
Quick Facts: Played in the FIBA European Championships in 2016 and 2017 for the U17 and U18 Spain National Teams … averaged 4.0 points and 4.1 rebounds at the European Championships in 2016 … scored 4.3 points and grabbed 5.0 rebounds per game on the U18 team in 2017 … also played in the Junior Women's Championships for Daspalomas Costa Canaria in 2017, earning MVP as the top scorer and rebounder of the tournament
Why Utah: "After visiting and spending time with everyone at Utah, I really feel it's where I can have a great future in basketball and academics. Utah has supported me from another country and for a long time. They have studied things I do well and the things I need to improve on. This makes me feel secure."
Roberts on Pendande: "She is tremendously athletic. She is 6-3 and she is a little raw right now, but she is an impact post player. She is an elite athlete and when you talk about the Pac-12, you have to have a couple of those. She is going to be a great four or five player for us. I think she is going to be a really special player."
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Andrea Torres, 6-2, Forward, Montreal, Quebec (Laval HS/Montmorency)
Quick Facts: Has multiple years of international playing experience … has seen action in 10 games for the Canadian National Team … was a part of the Junior Women's National Team in 2016 and 2017 at the U19 FIBA World Cup and the U18 FIBA Americas … averaged 3.2 points and 4.0 rebounds at the FIBA Americas in 2016 … played in the three games at the FIBA World Cup in 2017, averaging 14.0 minutes and 3.3 rebounds … played in 18 games for Montmorency in 2016-17, averaging 10.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game … was also played for Team Quebec at the U17 Nationals in 2015, averaging 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds … was second-team All-Star at nationals for Team Quebec in 2016 … also named MVP in the semifinals of Provincials for Montmorency.
Why Utah: "I chose Utah for my basketball experience and development, plus I really like the coaches and the team."
Roberts on Torres: "If there is a comparison, she is like a Paige Crozon. She is a little bit taller and bigger than Paige, but she can really shoot it. She came from the same school as Maurane Corbin, so she will come in as an older freshman. She has a real sense of the game and has a great basketball IQ. She has a feel for the game that you can't teach."
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"The Pac-12 is big," Roberts said. "There is athleticism and size, and you have to have both. I think these four embody that and the third component with this group is their versatility. They aren't going to be pigeonholed into one position. It is fun to see it all coming together."
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Niyah Becker (Winnipeg, Manitoba), Dre'una Edwards (Las Vegas, Nev.), Lola Pendande (Roquetas de Mar, Spain) and Andrea Torres (Montreal, Quebec) will join the 2018-19 Utes, giving added size and athleticism to an already stacked team.
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All four newcomers are 6-2 or taller and have a combined 20-plus games of international playing experience under their belts. With Arianna LaLonde and Dru Gylten redshirting this season, the Utah freshman class next year will have an added edge.
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The ties between the newcomers and the current team are strong, with Torres and Becker becoming the 16th and 17th Canadian-born student-athletes to come through the Utah women's basketball program. Add in Edwards, who battled against current guard Megan Jacobs during her time in Nevada preps, the Ute chemistry is expected to be strong next season.
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"I think this is a really good class for us," Roberts said. "It is a great group and they were all very highly recruited. I am proud of my staff, I think they dug down and competed and we got really good kids because of it."
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Utah Women's Basketball 2018-19 Signees
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Niyah Becker, 6-2, Wing, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Lincoln Prep)
Quick Facts: Has seen action in six international games with the Canadian National Team … suited up for Canada as a member of the Cadet National Team at the World Championships in Spain in 2016 … played in three games in Spain in exhibition play and then in three games at the U17 FIBA World Championships … helped Manitoba to a second place finish at the AAAA Girls Provincial Championships in 2017, earning a spot on the tournament All-Star team … scored 34 points and brought down 11 rebounds in the bronze medal match at the Canada Summer Games in 2017 for Manitoba … averaged 17.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game at the U15 National Championships for Manitoba in 2015 … was chosen as one of four Canadian women to attend the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Camp in 2016.
Why Utah: "I felt that it was a perfect fit for me as a player and a person. I really connected with the coaching staff."
Roberts on Becker: "She is a leftie and on top of that has size and length. Her father played basketball at Colorado. He is in charge of basketball at Manitoba up in Winnipeg, so he has been training her for a long time. She is already in the Canadian National Team system and I anticipate her to be an Olympian someday. She is a natural athlete where she can shoot, slash and rebound and even be the point of the press for us. She is going to be really good."
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Welcome home, @niyahbecker ! Our newest Ute from the North???? is a 6'2 Wing from Winnipeg, Manitoba! #SIGNED #UTEFAM #GoUtes #Elevate pic.twitter.com/eMcZvTAnX8
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 8, 2017
?????? #SIGNEDvibes #WelcomeNiyah pic.twitter.com/BjeXnSN4B7
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 8, 2017
Dre'una Edwards, 6-2, Wing/Forward, Las Vegas, Nev. (Liberty HS)
Quick Facts: Was named the Player of the Year in the Southwest League in 2016-17 … averaged 16.8 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks her junior season … helped her team to a 31-3 record in 2016-17 and to an appearance in the state semifinals … was named to the USA Today All-USA Nevada Girls Basketball First-Team in 2017 … played her first two seasons of high school at Canyon Springs … plays for the Fresno Heat Elite club team.
Why Utah: "I chose Utah because it was a great fit for me. The team is really nice, energetic and competitive. I love that. Also, the coaching staff is great. There is a lot of support here at Utah."
Roberts on Edwards: "Dre'una is probably one of the most unique players that I will get to coach. She is going to be almost like a point guard/forward type of player. She can make plays, but it is unique to have a 6-2, power forward be that type of player. She plays with an edge and is unlike anyone else we have on our roster."
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ÂHelp us welcome Dre'Una Edwards @IhoopDrea44 to the #UTEFAM - a 6'2 Power Forward out of Las Vegas, NV #SIGNED #GoUtes #Elevate?????????? pic.twitter.com/qbWrPXiOeb
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 8, 2017
?????? #SIGNEDvibes #WelcomeDre ?????? pic.twitter.com/18urHfRG6s
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 8, 2017
Lola Pendande, 6-3, Forward, Roquetas de Mar, Spain (Ribet Academy)
Quick Facts: Played in the FIBA European Championships in 2016 and 2017 for the U17 and U18 Spain National Teams … averaged 4.0 points and 4.1 rebounds at the European Championships in 2016 … scored 4.3 points and grabbed 5.0 rebounds per game on the U18 team in 2017 … also played in the Junior Women's Championships for Daspalomas Costa Canaria in 2017, earning MVP as the top scorer and rebounder of the tournament
Why Utah: "After visiting and spending time with everyone at Utah, I really feel it's where I can have a great future in basketball and academics. Utah has supported me from another country and for a long time. They have studied things I do well and the things I need to improve on. This makes me feel secure."
Roberts on Pendande: "She is tremendously athletic. She is 6-3 and she is a little raw right now, but she is an impact post player. She is an elite athlete and when you talk about the Pac-12, you have to have a couple of those. She is going to be a great four or five player for us. I think she is going to be a really special player."
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Bienvenidos @Lola_718 !! Hailing all the way from Spain, this power forward is FUEGO ??????! #UTEFAM #SIGNED #GoUtes #Elevate ?????? pic.twitter.com/FKMsngolfr
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 8, 2017
?????? #SIGNEDvibes ?????? #BienvenidoACasaLola pic.twitter.com/hv5jY7VgCO
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 8, 2017
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Andrea Torres, 6-2, Forward, Montreal, Quebec (Laval HS/Montmorency)
Quick Facts: Has multiple years of international playing experience … has seen action in 10 games for the Canadian National Team … was a part of the Junior Women's National Team in 2016 and 2017 at the U19 FIBA World Cup and the U18 FIBA Americas … averaged 3.2 points and 4.0 rebounds at the FIBA Americas in 2016 … played in the three games at the FIBA World Cup in 2017, averaging 14.0 minutes and 3.3 rebounds … played in 18 games for Montmorency in 2016-17, averaging 10.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game … was also played for Team Quebec at the U17 Nationals in 2015, averaging 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds … was second-team All-Star at nationals for Team Quebec in 2016 … also named MVP in the semifinals of Provincials for Montmorency.
Why Utah: "I chose Utah for my basketball experience and development, plus I really like the coaches and the team."
Roberts on Torres: "If there is a comparison, she is like a Paige Crozon. She is a little bit taller and bigger than Paige, but she can really shoot it. She came from the same school as Maurane Corbin, so she will come in as an older freshman. She has a real sense of the game and has a great basketball IQ. She has a feel for the game that you can't teach."
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ÂLast but certainly not least, let us introduce Andrea Torres, a 6-1 forward from Quebec ???? #UTEFAM #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/txo8N8Tmc0
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 9, 2017
Â#SIGNEDvibes ???????????????????? #WelcomeAndrea pic.twitter.com/dMjcWx15b8
— Utah WBasketball (@UTAHWBB) November 9, 2017
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