Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at TBD
TBD
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Thursday, November 9
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
2-0,0-0Pac-12
108
vs
48
South Carolina State
0-1,0-0MEAC
1
2
3
4
F
South Carolina St.
14
12
14
8
48
Utah
34
24
32
18
108
Photo by: Liv Medivitz/Utah Athletics
Utah's Record Breaking Three Point Performance Leads to 108-48 Victory
11/9/2023 11:09 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – The fifth ranked Utah women's basketball team broke the program record by knocking down 21 made three point field goals in the 108-48 victory over South Carolina State on Thursday night.
Junior Gianna Kneepkens started the game off with a pop as she made a second chance three-pointer just 30 seconds after opening tip. The Utes then went on a 15-1 run and didn't allow the Bulldogs a single field goal the first four minutes of the game. Utah answered SCSU's field goal by knocking down back-to-back three pointers, one by Isabel Palmer, the other by Kneepkens. The Utes controlled the rest of the first quarter taking a 34-14 lead.
Utah came into the back half of the game firing on all cylinders starting off on an 8-2 run. Palmer hit back-to-back threes in the fourth minute of the second half pushing her to a career-high in made three pointers. She later knocked down two more to end the game with seven made from beyond the arc. By the end of the third quarter, Utah had a 50 point lead.
With 6:48 to go in the game, Lani White knocked down a three pointer to give Utah 20 total made threes to break the school record for most three point field goals made in a single game. With 1:25 on the clock, Alyssa Blanck hit Utah's 21st made three in the game to set a new standard for the Utes.
LEADERS
Utah had four players score in double figures and were led by Palmer's career-high 21 points. Palmer went 7-10 from three point range for a career high in made three point field goals. She pulled down six rebounds and dropped six assists.
Reese Ross was the final Ute to put up double figures with 11 points. This is Ross' first time this season scoring in double figures. Ross also pulled down six rebounds to help the Utes.
Ines Vieria had eight rebounds for Utah including six offensive boards. She had six assists and five steals.
Maty Wilke was just one point shy of breaching double-digits as she had nine points all of which came from beyond the arc.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 45 percent from the field, 39 percent from beyond the arc, and 69 percent from the free throw line. Utah pulled down 63 total rebounds including 30 offensive boards. The Utes had 31 assists, 11 steals and 11 turnovers.
Utah had 31 assists on 39 made field goals. Utah had 41 points from the bench, 33 points from turnovers and 28 second chance points.
South Carolina State shot 34 percent from the field, 30 percent from the three and 66 percent from the free throw line. The Bulldogs ended the game with 23 rebounds, eight assists, six steals and 20 turnovers.
WHAT HEAD COACH LYNNE ROBERTS SAID
Opening statement…
"I know everyone wants to talk about the amount of threes that we took. I'll just address that.I mean, they [South Carolina State] played zone for 40 minutes and our players are programmed to shoot the three if they're open, and they were obviously clogging up the paint. So, of those 53 attempts, I think they were all good shots, and if those are the shots that we're given, we're going to take them. We had 30 offensive rebounds as well. 31 assists on 39 made baskets. It's good basketball, it's maybe unorthodox in the eyes of some but it's a lot of points and a lot of threes. Offensive rebounds are the best time to shoot a three. Again, we're programmed to do that too. We get an offensive board and we're always looking to the kickout three. It was a good win, I'm proud of our team, and a lot of people played a lot of minutes which is great."
On the defensive performance…
"We're better than we were last year at this point, but we're going to get tested down at Baylor on Tuesday. They've got some great players and individual scorers, and they're a good team that's well coached. But, preseason and non-conference play is really for figuring out your identity as a team; what you can hang your hat on, where you need to work on, and all that, so we're still learning that. We weren't perfect tonight defensively. There were quite a few mistakes, but, good grief it's the second game. There should be. It'd be weird if there wasn't, but we are farther ahead than we were a year ago for sure."
NOTABLES
Utah's 21 made three point field goals sets the program record for most threes made in a singe game. The previous record was set at 19 made vs. Lipscomb on Nov. 10, 2021. The last time Utah hit 15 or more from beyond the arc was last season when the Utes knocked down 17 against Southeastern Louisiana.
Utah is now 2-0 on the season. The Utes are 22-0 all-time, 13-0 in the Pac-12 era and 12-0 under Roberts, when scoring 100 or more points.
Utah has won 18 consecutive games in the Jon M. Huntsman Center and are 2-0 at home this season.
Palmer passed her career high with 21 points, which was previously set at 17 points against Oklahoma last season.
UP NEXT
Utah will hit the road for the first time this season to take on Baylor Nov. 14 before heading to the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, Alaska. Pac-12 action is set to start Dec. 30 at Colorado.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still available. General admission tickets are $50. Call the Utah ticket office at 801-581-UTIX or visit www.UtahTickets.com.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Junior Gianna Kneepkens started the game off with a pop as she made a second chance three-pointer just 30 seconds after opening tip. The Utes then went on a 15-1 run and didn't allow the Bulldogs a single field goal the first four minutes of the game. Utah answered SCSU's field goal by knocking down back-to-back three pointers, one by Isabel Palmer, the other by Kneepkens. The Utes controlled the rest of the first quarter taking a 34-14 lead.
Utah continued to charge in the second quarter and ended the first half on a 9-0 run to propel them to a 58-26 score after the first half. Utah knocked down 11-made three pointers in the first half. Alissa Pili and Kneepkens each had 11 points to contribute to the Utes first half 58 points.That's a way to start a game!#GoUtes
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) November 10, 2023
??Pac-12 Network
??https://t.co/756Hsd47ZO pic.twitter.com/j5xNB2t86q
Utah came into the back half of the game firing on all cylinders starting off on an 8-2 run. Palmer hit back-to-back threes in the fourth minute of the second half pushing her to a career-high in made three pointers. She later knocked down two more to end the game with seven made from beyond the arc. By the end of the third quarter, Utah had a 50 point lead.
With 6:48 to go in the game, Lani White knocked down a three pointer to give Utah 20 total made threes to break the school record for most three point field goals made in a single game. With 1:25 on the clock, Alyssa Blanck hit Utah's 21st made three in the game to set a new standard for the Utes.
Utah held the Bulldogs to just eight points in the fourth quarter and ended the game on a 7-0 run to take the 108-48 victory over South Carolina State.?? SCHOOL RECORD ??
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) November 10, 2023
With this made three by @laniwhitee Utah now has 20 made three-pointers. The most made in a game in school history. #GoUtes
??Pac-12 Network
??https://t.co/756Hsd47ZO pic.twitter.com/yGzGH295vq
LEADERS
Utah had four players score in double figures and were led by Palmer's career-high 21 points. Palmer went 7-10 from three point range for a career high in made three point field goals. She pulled down six rebounds and dropped six assists.
Pili had her first double-double of the season, with 18 points and the game high rebounds with 10. Kneepkens finished the game with 16 points going 5-8 from the field including four made from beyond the arc. Kneepkens also had six assists.Issy Palmer's shot right now ??@palmerisabel11 #GoUtes
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) November 10, 2023
??Pac-12 Network
??https://t.co/756Hsd47ZO pic.twitter.com/fPTRI2Od7z
Reese Ross was the final Ute to put up double figures with 11 points. This is Ross' first time this season scoring in double figures. Ross also pulled down six rebounds to help the Utes.
Ines Vieria had eight rebounds for Utah including six offensive boards. She had six assists and five steals.
Maty Wilke was just one point shy of breaching double-digits as she had nine points all of which came from beyond the arc.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 45 percent from the field, 39 percent from beyond the arc, and 69 percent from the free throw line. Utah pulled down 63 total rebounds including 30 offensive boards. The Utes had 31 assists, 11 steals and 11 turnovers.
Utah had 31 assists on 39 made field goals. Utah had 41 points from the bench, 33 points from turnovers and 28 second chance points.
South Carolina State shot 34 percent from the field, 30 percent from the three and 66 percent from the free throw line. The Bulldogs ended the game with 23 rebounds, eight assists, six steals and 20 turnovers.
WHAT HEAD COACH LYNNE ROBERTS SAID
Opening statement…
"I know everyone wants to talk about the amount of threes that we took. I'll just address that.I mean, they [South Carolina State] played zone for 40 minutes and our players are programmed to shoot the three if they're open, and they were obviously clogging up the paint. So, of those 53 attempts, I think they were all good shots, and if those are the shots that we're given, we're going to take them. We had 30 offensive rebounds as well. 31 assists on 39 made baskets. It's good basketball, it's maybe unorthodox in the eyes of some but it's a lot of points and a lot of threes. Offensive rebounds are the best time to shoot a three. Again, we're programmed to do that too. We get an offensive board and we're always looking to the kickout three. It was a good win, I'm proud of our team, and a lot of people played a lot of minutes which is great."
On the defensive performance…
"We're better than we were last year at this point, but we're going to get tested down at Baylor on Tuesday. They've got some great players and individual scorers, and they're a good team that's well coached. But, preseason and non-conference play is really for figuring out your identity as a team; what you can hang your hat on, where you need to work on, and all that, so we're still learning that. We weren't perfect tonight defensively. There were quite a few mistakes, but, good grief it's the second game. There should be. It'd be weird if there wasn't, but we are farther ahead than we were a year ago for sure."
NOTABLES
Utah's 21 made three point field goals sets the program record for most threes made in a singe game. The previous record was set at 19 made vs. Lipscomb on Nov. 10, 2021. The last time Utah hit 15 or more from beyond the arc was last season when the Utes knocked down 17 against Southeastern Louisiana.
Utah is now 2-0 on the season. The Utes are 22-0 all-time, 13-0 in the Pac-12 era and 12-0 under Roberts, when scoring 100 or more points.
Utah has won 18 consecutive games in the Jon M. Huntsman Center and are 2-0 at home this season.
Palmer passed her career high with 21 points, which was previously set at 17 points against Oklahoma last season.
UP NEXT
Utah will hit the road for the first time this season to take on Baylor Nov. 14 before heading to the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, Alaska. Pac-12 action is set to start Dec. 30 at Colorado.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still available. General admission tickets are $50. Call the Utah ticket office at 801-581-UTIX or visit www.UtahTickets.com.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Team Stats
SCSt
Utah
FG%
.340
.453
3FG%
.308
.396
FT%
.667
.692
RB
23
63
TO
20
11
STL
6
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
7
FTM
0
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
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