Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Friday, January 19
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
13-5,3-3Pac-12
78
vs
58
USC
13-2,3-2Pac-12
1
2
3
4
F
Southern California
12
16
16
14
58
Utah
19
18
24
17
78
Photo by: Eli Rehmer/Utah Athletics
No. 20 Utah Upsets No. 6 USC 78-58
1/19/2024 11:41 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – The No. 20 Utah Utes upset the No. 6 USC Trojans with a 78-58 victory in the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Friday night for the Utes' first ranked win of the season.
The Utes made a statement jumping out to a 10-point lead to start the second quarter and never looked back as they cruised to a 20-point victory, the largest margin of victory over a top 10 team in school history. Utah was led by Alissa Pili who dropped 37 points to tie her career high, which she set earlier this season against No. 1 South Carolina.
Utah is now 13-5 overall on the season and 3-3 in Pac-12 play.
GAME SUMMARY
Utah was ready for USC starting the game with an early 12-5 lead. Utah then pushed out for a 19-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Pili started the second quarter with a made three ball to set the tone for the quarter. Utah never let USC come within five points in the second quarter and boasted a 37-28 lead at the half.
USC came out of the halftime break with a spark going on a 7-0 run and brought the score within three points. Utah answered with a 14-2 run to end the quarter. Utah had a 61-44 lead going into the final quarter of the game.
The Utes went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter to push out for a 21-point lead, the largest of the game. Despite USC going on an 8-3 surge in the middle of the quarter, the damage had been done and the No. 20 Utah Utes upset the No. 6 USC Trojans 78-58.
LEADERS
Utah had two Utes score in double figures and were led by Pili's 37 points. Pili went 13-16 for 81.6 percent from the field. She went 5-6 from the three and 6-8 from the free throw line. Matyson Wilke had a big game with 12 points off the bench including three made from beyond the arc. Kennady McQueen and Jenna Johnson each had eight points for the Utes
Ines Vieira stayed true with seven rebounds and six assists. McQueen also added six assists for Utah.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 44.1 percent from the field while USC shot 36.1 percent. Utah knocked down 10 from beyond the arc for 32.3 percent while USC hit seven from deep for 28.0 percent. The Trojans shot 50.0 percent from the line while Utah shot 72.7 percent.
Utah pulled down 43 rebounds to USC's 3. The Utes also dropped 19 assists to the Trojans six. Utah posted 30 points in the paint white USC had 14. Utah's bench came in for 16 points while USC's only put up six.
Lynne Roberts, Head Coach
Opening Statement…
"Incredibly proud of our team. What a tremendous win. We controlled it from start to finish. USC made their runs but we pushed back. Defensively we were really good. Dasia Young and Maty Wilke did a tremendous job on [JuJu] Watkins. She's a tough guard. It was an overall great team win. We talked this week that we weren't going to settle for anything but winning. We were going to go out and play as hard as we could."
On the team's new found momentum...
"We've lost a lot of close games to ranked teams and we were tired of coming up short. We talked a lot about controlling the things that we can control. I'm proud of the team for fighting back and not pouting or feeling sorry for ourselves in the adversity. We've played with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder. I've coached with a little chip on my shoulder. I think we're playing with a little more swagger right now. We are playing cohesively and with synergy. People have settled into their roles and we're starting to hit our stride. This league is merciless and we'll enjoy this tonight but we'll go back to work tomorrow."
On Alissa Pili ...
"It's fun to have a player like her. Everyone can see her talent and ability but what separates her is her desire to win. She wants her teammates to do well she's not just out to get hers. She knows for us to win she has to produce but it's all about winning with her. When your best player is about winning and not playing selfish is when good things happen."
Alissa Pili, #35, Forward
On the team's new momentum…
"We've been frustrated how the last few games panned out. It's pushed us to play harder. We've really bought into our team and focused on what we can do to win. We can't leave it in the refs hands so why not blow out teams by 40 or 20 points."
On her 37-point performance…
"Being on a team like this makes it easy to go out there and play. I don't need to worry about my stats or my points. Props to my teammates for finding me and creating shots for me. It feels good to have a high scoring game but it's my point guard and my guards who feed me the ball."
NOTABLES
The Utes are now 13-5 overall on the season and 3-3 in Pac-12. Tonight's 20-point margin of victory marks for the largest margin of victory over a top 10 opponent in school history. This is Utah's sixth ever top 10 win and ties for the second highest ranked win in school history. The highest ranked win came last season when the Utes took down No. 3 Stanford to claim a piece of the Pac-12 regular season title.
Pili's 37 points today and against South Carolina earlier this season sits at third for most points scored by an individual in a game. She has now amassed 1,052 points as a Ute and 1,847 career points.
UP NEXT
Utah will host UCLA in ESPN's Big Monday matchup on Jan. 22 at 5:00 p.m. Utah will then hit the road for four consecutive games starting at Oregon Jan. 26 and Oregon State Jan. 28.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
The Utes made a statement jumping out to a 10-point lead to start the second quarter and never looked back as they cruised to a 20-point victory, the largest margin of victory over a top 10 team in school history. Utah was led by Alissa Pili who dropped 37 points to tie her career high, which she set earlier this season against No. 1 South Carolina.
Utah is now 13-5 overall on the season and 3-3 in Pac-12 play.
GAME SUMMARY
Utah was ready for USC starting the game with an early 12-5 lead. Utah then pushed out for a 19-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Pili started the second quarter with a made three ball to set the tone for the quarter. Utah never let USC come within five points in the second quarter and boasted a 37-28 lead at the half.
USC came out of the halftime break with a spark going on a 7-0 run and brought the score within three points. Utah answered with a 14-2 run to end the quarter. Utah had a 61-44 lead going into the final quarter of the game.
The Utes went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter to push out for a 21-point lead, the largest of the game. Despite USC going on an 8-3 surge in the middle of the quarter, the damage had been done and the No. 20 Utah Utes upset the No. 6 USC Trojans 78-58.
LEADERS
Utah had two Utes score in double figures and were led by Pili's 37 points. Pili went 13-16 for 81.6 percent from the field. She went 5-6 from the three and 6-8 from the free throw line. Matyson Wilke had a big game with 12 points off the bench including three made from beyond the arc. Kennady McQueen and Jenna Johnson each had eight points for the Utes
Just some Pili things @alissa_pili #GoUtes
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 20, 2024
?? https://t.co/Gj9WIuq7XK pic.twitter.com/WRbXdvjD5A
Ines Vieira stayed true with seven rebounds and six assists. McQueen also added six assists for Utah.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 44.1 percent from the field while USC shot 36.1 percent. Utah knocked down 10 from beyond the arc for 32.3 percent while USC hit seven from deep for 28.0 percent. The Trojans shot 50.0 percent from the line while Utah shot 72.7 percent.
Utah pulled down 43 rebounds to USC's 3. The Utes also dropped 19 assists to the Trojans six. Utah posted 30 points in the paint white USC had 14. Utah's bench came in for 16 points while USC's only put up six.
HEAR FROM THE UTES??????
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 20, 2024
So pretty @KennadyMcqueen @jenna_johnson22 #GoUtes
?? https://t.co/Gj9WIuq7XK pic.twitter.com/q3cro3J9BY
Lynne Roberts, Head Coach
Opening Statement…
"Incredibly proud of our team. What a tremendous win. We controlled it from start to finish. USC made their runs but we pushed back. Defensively we were really good. Dasia Young and Maty Wilke did a tremendous job on [JuJu] Watkins. She's a tough guard. It was an overall great team win. We talked this week that we weren't going to settle for anything but winning. We were going to go out and play as hard as we could."
On the team's new found momentum...
"We've lost a lot of close games to ranked teams and we were tired of coming up short. We talked a lot about controlling the things that we can control. I'm proud of the team for fighting back and not pouting or feeling sorry for ourselves in the adversity. We've played with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder. I've coached with a little chip on my shoulder. I think we're playing with a little more swagger right now. We are playing cohesively and with synergy. People have settled into their roles and we're starting to hit our stride. This league is merciless and we'll enjoy this tonight but we'll go back to work tomorrow."
On Alissa Pili ...
"It's fun to have a player like her. Everyone can see her talent and ability but what separates her is her desire to win. She wants her teammates to do well she's not just out to get hers. She knows for us to win she has to produce but it's all about winning with her. When your best player is about winning and not playing selfish is when good things happen."
Alissa Pili, #35, Forward
On the team's new momentum…
"We've been frustrated how the last few games panned out. It's pushed us to play harder. We've really bought into our team and focused on what we can do to win. We can't leave it in the refs hands so why not blow out teams by 40 or 20 points."
On her 37-point performance…
"Being on a team like this makes it easy to go out there and play. I don't need to worry about my stats or my points. Props to my teammates for finding me and creating shots for me. It feels good to have a high scoring game but it's my point guard and my guards who feed me the ball."
NOTABLES
The Utes are now 13-5 overall on the season and 3-3 in Pac-12. Tonight's 20-point margin of victory marks for the largest margin of victory over a top 10 opponent in school history. This is Utah's sixth ever top 10 win and ties for the second highest ranked win in school history. The highest ranked win came last season when the Utes took down No. 3 Stanford to claim a piece of the Pac-12 regular season title.
Pili's 37 points today and against South Carolina earlier this season sits at third for most points scored by an individual in a game. She has now amassed 1,052 points as a Ute and 1,847 career points.
UP NEXT
Utah will host UCLA in ESPN's Big Monday matchup on Jan. 22 at 5:00 p.m. Utah will then hit the road for four consecutive games starting at Oregon Jan. 26 and Oregon State Jan. 28.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
?? Upset alert ??
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) January 20, 2024
No. 20 @UTAHWBB upset No. 6 USC, 78-58! @alissa_pili breaks it down with @autumnjohnsontv!#NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/J6bk4z2tEG
Just some Pili things @alissa_pili #GoUtes
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 20, 2024
?? https://t.co/Gj9WIuq7XK pic.twitter.com/WRbXdvjD5A
With the pressure, drains it!@alissa_pili #GoUtes
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 20, 2024
?? https://t.co/Gj9WIuq7XK pic.twitter.com/HCyayOoRsM
Team Stats
USC
Utah
FG%
.361
.441
3FG%
.280
.323
FT%
.500
.727
RB
34
43
TO
17
15
STL
12
10
Game Leaders
Pts
37
FGM
13
3FGM
5
FTM
6
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
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