UP NEXT: Utah Concludes Non-Conference Play at Washington

Saturday, December 14

Seattle, WA

7:30 PM (MT)

University of Utah

Washington

UP NEXT: Utah Concludes Non-Conference Play at Washington

12/12/2024 10:33 AM | Women's Basketball

WBB Game Notes vs. Washington

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Utes women's basketball team will continue the 2024-25 season by hitting the road to take on former Pac-12 foe, Washington on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. (MT). The last time the two teams met up was last season. Utah split the series last year picking up an 83-65 win in Seattle (2/2/24) and fell 62-47 in Salt Lake City (3/2/24).

The Utes are currently 8-2 on the season after defeating Princeton 79-76 on Dec. 12. Utah is currently on a three-game win streak.

GAME INFORMATION
Utah (8-2, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Washington (7-3, 0-0 Big 10)
DATE | TIME: Saturday, Dec. 14 | 7:30 p.m. (MT)
LOCATION: Salt Lake City | Jon M. Huntsman Center
TV: Big 10 Network | Watch
LISTEN: Click Here
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UtahWBB

HOW TO TUNE IN
Fans can watch the match up on the Big 10 Network with AJ Kanell and Alyssa Charlston on the call. The radio call will be on 92.1 FM and can be found on the TuneIn app, with Tyson Ewing and Milee Rustand calling the action.

LAST TIME OUT
The Utes picked up a 79-76 win over Princeton. Utah had an 18-point lead in the third quarter but the Tigers chipped away to trail by just one in the final minute. Utah solidified the victory thanks to a pair of free throws by Gianna Kneepkens pushing the final score to 79-76. The Utes were led by Kneepkens who had 19 points.

THE UTES
Utah returns four starters from last year's squad including 2022-23 All-American Gianna Kneepkens. Kneepkens returns after suffering a season ending injury early in the 2023-24 season. Utah also brought back starters Jenna Johnson, Kennady McQueen and Inês Vieira. Other key players returning are Matyson Wilke, Samantha Crispe and Reese Ross. The Utes welcome two transfers in Chyra Evans and Mayé Touré and three true freshmen in Grace Foster, Kylie Ray and Brooke Walker.

KNOWING KNEEPKENS
Kneepkens is currently averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting 48.1 percent from the field, 42.4 percent from the three and 90.2 from the free throw line going 37-of-41. She is averaging 3.4 rebounds per game. She leads the Utes from beyond the arc knocking down 28 total so far on the year.

Prior to her injury in 2023-24, Kneepkens played just eight games and was averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 54.0 percent from beyond the arc. She averaged 5.5 rebounds and four assists per game.

Kneepkens has knocked down three or more three-pointers in all but five games this season with a season-high of four made three times with the last time coming against Montana State (11/24/24). She is a 1,000 point scorer as she broke the 1,000-point milestone last season when she put up 19 against Carroll College (Nov. 28, 2023).

She was named to both the Naismith Player of the Year and Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watchlists. Kneepkens was also placed on the Big 12 Preseason All-Conference team.

IN THE RANKS
Utah received votes in the AP Top 25 Poll for the second consecutive week in a row and third week this season. During the 2023-24 season the Utes' were ranked in the Top 25 for 20 consecutive weeks.

HEAD COACH GAVIN PETERSEN
Petersen was named the head coach of the Utah women's basketball team on Nov. 19, 2024 just four games into the 2024-25 season. He brings 23 seasons of college coaching experience to the role, he is in his 10th season overall with the Utes and spent the previous five years as associate head coach under Lynne Roberts.

Petersen has been a part of the staff that has led the Utes to six postseason appearances—including three NCAA tournaments and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen—and four 20-win seasons, as well as regular appearances in the AP Top 25.

SCOUTING WASHINGTON
The Washington Huskies are currently 7-3 on the season. UW is coming off a 73-62 loss to No. 1 UCLA.

Washington has four people averaging double figures and are led by Elle Ladine who averages 15.2 points per game shooting for 42.1 percent from the field.

This is the 37th time the two programs have matched up. The last time the two teams met was last season. Utah split with Washington last season picking up a 83-65 win in Seattle and later falling 67-42 in Salt Lake City.

Utah has a 20-16 record with Washington and are 6-10 when playing in Seattle.

Washington is led by head coach Tina Langley who is in her fourth season. She has a 49-49 record at the helm of the Huskies.

QUICK NOTES

Utah has received votes for the AP Top 25 Poll for the second week in a row.
In Utah's 87-34 win over Utah State, the Utes held the Aggies to just .163 from the field. This marks the lowest opponent shooting percentage in a game in school history.
Utah welcomed Ryan Larsen as a new assistant coach on Friday, Dec. 6.

SEASON NEED TO KNOW

Gianna Kneepkens was named to the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watchlist and the Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watchlist
Inês Vieria was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watchlist
Jenna Johnson was named to the Katrina McClain Award Preseason Watchlist
Gianna Kneepkens was named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team
Utah's 78-67 win over No. 3 Notre Dame marks the highest ranked win while traveling in school history. Previously, the record for the highest ranked neutral site game was during the 2002-03 season when Utah defeated No. 14 Mississippi State 69-65. The previous record for highest ranked win outside of Salt Lake City was last season when Utah defeated No. 6 USC with a 74-68 score in Los Angeles (2/25/24).
This is back-to-back seasons the Utes have taken down top-10 teams away from the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Gavin Petersen became the fastest head coach in school history to get a win over a top-10 team. Accomplishing the feat in just four games when Utah downed No. 3 Notre Dame 78-67 (11/30/24).
Utah's 105 points against SUU (11/4/24), marked the first time in school history the Utes scored 100 or more points in the season opener in back-to-back seasons.
Utah's 118 points against McNeese (11/18/24) marks the second highest points scored in a game in Utah program history. The record stands at 124 which has occurred twice, with the most recent time coming in 2022-23 against Oklahoma State
Gianna Kneepkens has left no doubts with her comeback as she leads the team averaging 16.9 points per game shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from the three. She also leads the team in made three pointers with 28 on the season.
At the helm for the Utes is Gavin Petersen who is in his first season as head coach and 10th overall season at Utah. He was named head coach Nov. 19, 2024 just four games into the season.
Utah is returning four of last year's starting five including All-American Gianna Kneepkens, as well as Jenna Johnson, Kennady McQueen and Inês Vieira.
Utah welcomes two transfers (Chyra Evans and Mayè Tourè) and three true freshmen (Brooke Walker, Grace Foster and Kylie Ray) to this year's squad.
Gianna Kneepkens hit a season-high 24 points in just 21 minutes of game play against McNeese (11/18/24).
Utah is currently in the top 30 nationally in nine major statistical categories:
- No. 10 assists per game (19.7)
- No. 20 field goal percentage (48.4)
- No. 30 free throw percentage (76.7)
- No. 24 scoring (82.8)
- No. 30 scoring margin (24.2)
- No. 4 made three pointers per game (10.8)
- No. 14 three point attempts per game (28.4)
- No. 21 three point percentage (38.0)
- No. 30 turnovers forced per game (22.3)
Inês Vieira is currently No. 10 in the nation and No. 6 in the Big 12 in total assists with 59. She is also No. 17 nationally, No. 5 in the Big 12 in assists per game (5.9).
Gianna Kneepkens is currently No. 16 in the nation, No. 4 in the Big 12 in three pointers made with 28 and No. 26 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big 12 in three pointers per game (2.80).

OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock exclusive video content, news and information, schedules, rosters, stats, and access to buy and manage tickets. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready.

FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along during the 2024-25 season on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).