Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Western Colorado (EXHIBITION) on October 27, 2025 at TBD
TBD
Women's Basketball
vs Western Colorado (EXHIBITION)
Friday, February 16
Salt Lake City, UT
6:00 PM
University of Utah
19-7,9-5Pac-12
77
vs
76
Colorado
20-5,10-4Pac-12
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado
14
10
26
26
76
Utah
23
16
23
15
77
Photo by: Hunter Dyke/Utah Athletics
Last Second Layup Leads No. 22 Utah To 77-76 Upset Win Over No. 8 Colorado
2/16/2024 10:35 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – The Jon M. Huntsman Center crowd held their breath as Dasia Young drove to the hoop with just three seconds left in the game. The No. 22 Utah Utes were trailing by just one as Young laid the ball up, bouncing it off the back of the rim and in as the buzzer sounded ensuring a Ute win. The Utes rushed the court as the crowd went wild and Utah women's basketball picked up its third Top 25 upset win this season, downing No. 8 Colorado 77-76 Friday night.
Utah had a dominant lead for the majority of the game until Colorado made an 8-0 run in the final minute to take its first lead of the game. Ines Vieira drained a pair of free throws to give Utah the lead back and despite the Buffs answering with a made layup, Utah pulled out the win thanks to Young's attack in the final seconds.
Utah is now 19-7 overall on the season and 9-5 in Pac-12 play.
Utah started the game with a made three pointer by Alissa Pili that helped the Utes jump out to an early 7-2 lead. Utah then went on a 12-3 run and held Colorado scoreless for over three minutes. The Utes had a 23-14 lead and the momentum as the first quarter ended.
Utah continued the charge in the second quarter by holding the Buffs to just 10 points in the 10 minutes of play. Utah pushed out for a 17-point lead with just under a minute left in the half. Colorado was able to sink a jumper in the paint with five seconds left but Utah still had a 39-24 lead at the half.
Colorado ended up outscoring Utah in both quarters in the second half but the Utes held on. Late in the third quarter Colorado went on an 8-0 run in just one minute of play. Daisa Young broke the drought with a layup and Ines Vieira followed it up hitting her first pair of free throws in the game. Utah was able to get a stop on the next possession and sent Kennady McQueen down court for a fast break three. McQueen's three gave Utah a 62-50 lead going into the final quarter of play.
The Buffs slowly chipped away at the Utes' 12-point lead in those final 10 minutes. With just under two minutes the Buffs went on an 8-0 run to take the lead for the first time in the game with just 19 seconds left. Utah trailed 74-73 when Vieira stepped up to the line sinking her second pair of free throws to give Utah a 75-74 lead.
With eight seconds on the clock, Colorado hit a layup to give them the one point edge. With the basketball in her hands, Young didn't hesitate as she attacked the hoop, laying it up and in as the clock struck zero and the crowd of nearly 6,000 fans erupted.
Despite Colorado cutting an 18-point score deficit in the second half Utah pulled out the 77-76 victory.
LEADERS
Utah had four Utes score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili's 18 points. Ines Vieira had an impressive stat line with her 16 points, seven assists and eight rebounds. Jenna Johnson posted 14 points while Dasia Young ended the game going 6-9 from the field for 13 points.
Kennady McQueen and Matyson Wilke were just shy of double figures as they both had eight points to add to Utah's offensive efforts.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 51.8 percent from the field while Colorado shot an even 50.0 percent. Utah knocked down seven from beyond the arc for 36.8 percent while the Buffs hit six from deep for 50.0 percent. Both teams shot an even 75.0 percent from the line with Utah going 12-16 and Colorado going 6-8. Utah outrebounded Colorado 34-28.
HEAR FROM THE UTES
Lynne Roberts, Head Coach
Opening statement…
"What a game. I have so much respect for Colorado they are experienced and I didn't anticipate that comeback in the fourth quarter but you have to give them credit. We had prepared for the zone defense but it's hard to prepare for how aggressive they are. Great job for them on making that run. I have a lot of confidence for these guys, and it was just rolling the dice and letting them make a play. I had a feeling if I called a timeout it would play into Colorado's hands and give them a chance to set up and plant a trap. For us it was just get the ball and go which is when we are at our best. I'm proud of our team, what a game for Dasia to come back. Safe to say we need her. She went 6-9 from the field and defensively was great, she just brings an edge for toughness. They outscored us in that fourth, but we held on. I thought the first half we controlled the game on both ends of the floor. But again, credit to Colorado, they are good. Another Top 10 win for us. We just kept grinding and left everything out there tonight."
On the game's ending . . .
"It was a great moment. I felt relief and then excitement and pride. This league pushes you and tests you in every way. We've definitely been tested this season. I have so much confidence in this team and to win like that was a great moment. To see Dasia [Young] get dog piled was fun. I think I let out a primal scream after the refs called the game but other than that it was nice to soak it in."
Dasia Young, #34, Guard/Forward
On hitting the game winner …
"Ines [Vieira] passed it to me with five seconds left. She trusted me and I didn't want to overthink or look for anyone else to do it, I just put the play in my hands and if we lost that would be on me and I was okay with that. As an upper-classman I have to take that responsibility. I didn't hope it would go in. I knew it was going to go in. I saw it in the corner of my eye, it fell and tipped. It was nerve wracking but I went in there with a head full of steam and I didn't second guess or look at anyone to pass it to. I knew that was going in and it did."
On returning to the court after missing four games . . .
"Before I ever scored tonight, it felt so good to be out there. I loved watching my teammates, moving the ball, making three's and celebrating on the bench but it is different when you're out there with them and since it's my last year I want to play with them as much as I can. Sitting on the bench was nerve wracking but I trusted them and they trusted me to take as much time as I needed to heal up to get back up there and play like I did today."
Ines Vieira, #2, Guard
On hitting her clutch free throws…
"I've been working on my free throws, I started the season kind of bad for what I used to be. I've been focusing more because I know there are going to be moments like this where I have to make them, it was more about confidence."
NOTABLES
Utah is now 11-2 at home this season and have won 27 of its last 29 games in the Huntsman Center.
Alissa Pili has racked up 1,999 career points and is just one away from hitting the 2,000 point milestone. She brought 795 points with her when she transferred from USC. She's posted 1,204 points as a Ute. Pili became the fastest Ute to hit 1,000 points, achieving the milestone in just 48 games.
UP NEXT
The Utes will hit the road to take on UCLA on Feb. 22 and USC on Feb. 25. Utah will return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center to take on Washington State (Feb. 29) and Washington (March 2) for Senior Weekend. Utah will honor the three seniors, Dasia Young, Isabel Palmer and Alissa Pili.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Utah had a dominant lead for the majority of the game until Colorado made an 8-0 run in the final minute to take its first lead of the game. Ines Vieira drained a pair of free throws to give Utah the lead back and despite the Buffs answering with a made layup, Utah pulled out the win thanks to Young's attack in the final seconds.
Utah is now 19-7 overall on the season and 9-5 in Pac-12 play.
GAME SUMMARYGAME-WINNER @Dasia_Young11 ??#NCAAWBB x ?? Pac-12 Network / @UTAHWBB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) February 17, 2024
pic.twitter.com/pYoJbIJRB4
Utah started the game with a made three pointer by Alissa Pili that helped the Utes jump out to an early 7-2 lead. Utah then went on a 12-3 run and held Colorado scoreless for over three minutes. The Utes had a 23-14 lead and the momentum as the first quarter ended.
Utah continued the charge in the second quarter by holding the Buffs to just 10 points in the 10 minutes of play. Utah pushed out for a 17-point lead with just under a minute left in the half. Colorado was able to sink a jumper in the paint with five seconds left but Utah still had a 39-24 lead at the half.
Colorado ended up outscoring Utah in both quarters in the second half but the Utes held on. Late in the third quarter Colorado went on an 8-0 run in just one minute of play. Daisa Young broke the drought with a layup and Ines Vieira followed it up hitting her first pair of free throws in the game. Utah was able to get a stop on the next possession and sent Kennady McQueen down court for a fast break three. McQueen's three gave Utah a 62-50 lead going into the final quarter of play.
The Buffs slowly chipped away at the Utes' 12-point lead in those final 10 minutes. With just under two minutes the Buffs went on an 8-0 run to take the lead for the first time in the game with just 19 seconds left. Utah trailed 74-73 when Vieira stepped up to the line sinking her second pair of free throws to give Utah a 75-74 lead.
With eight seconds on the clock, Colorado hit a layup to give them the one point edge. With the basketball in her hands, Young didn't hesitate as she attacked the hoop, laying it up and in as the clock struck zero and the crowd of nearly 6,000 fans erupted.
Despite Colorado cutting an 18-point score deficit in the second half Utah pulled out the 77-76 victory.
LEADERS
Utah had four Utes score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili's 18 points. Ines Vieira had an impressive stat line with her 16 points, seven assists and eight rebounds. Jenna Johnson posted 14 points while Dasia Young ended the game going 6-9 from the field for 13 points.
Kennady McQueen and Matyson Wilke were just shy of double figures as they both had eight points to add to Utah's offensive efforts.
COMPARISON
Utah ended the game shooting 51.8 percent from the field while Colorado shot an even 50.0 percent. Utah knocked down seven from beyond the arc for 36.8 percent while the Buffs hit six from deep for 50.0 percent. Both teams shot an even 75.0 percent from the line with Utah going 12-16 and Colorado going 6-8. Utah outrebounded Colorado 34-28.
HEAR FROM THE UTES
Lynne Roberts, Head Coach
Opening statement…
"What a game. I have so much respect for Colorado they are experienced and I didn't anticipate that comeback in the fourth quarter but you have to give them credit. We had prepared for the zone defense but it's hard to prepare for how aggressive they are. Great job for them on making that run. I have a lot of confidence for these guys, and it was just rolling the dice and letting them make a play. I had a feeling if I called a timeout it would play into Colorado's hands and give them a chance to set up and plant a trap. For us it was just get the ball and go which is when we are at our best. I'm proud of our team, what a game for Dasia to come back. Safe to say we need her. She went 6-9 from the field and defensively was great, she just brings an edge for toughness. They outscored us in that fourth, but we held on. I thought the first half we controlled the game on both ends of the floor. But again, credit to Colorado, they are good. Another Top 10 win for us. We just kept grinding and left everything out there tonight."
On the game's ending . . .
"It was a great moment. I felt relief and then excitement and pride. This league pushes you and tests you in every way. We've definitely been tested this season. I have so much confidence in this team and to win like that was a great moment. To see Dasia [Young] get dog piled was fun. I think I let out a primal scream after the refs called the game but other than that it was nice to soak it in."
Dasia Young, #34, Guard/Forward
On hitting the game winner …
"Ines [Vieira] passed it to me with five seconds left. She trusted me and I didn't want to overthink or look for anyone else to do it, I just put the play in my hands and if we lost that would be on me and I was okay with that. As an upper-classman I have to take that responsibility. I didn't hope it would go in. I knew it was going to go in. I saw it in the corner of my eye, it fell and tipped. It was nerve wracking but I went in there with a head full of steam and I didn't second guess or look at anyone to pass it to. I knew that was going in and it did."
On returning to the court after missing four games . . .
"Before I ever scored tonight, it felt so good to be out there. I loved watching my teammates, moving the ball, making three's and celebrating on the bench but it is different when you're out there with them and since it's my last year I want to play with them as much as I can. Sitting on the bench was nerve wracking but I trusted them and they trusted me to take as much time as I needed to heal up to get back up there and play like I did today."
Ines Vieira, #2, Guard
On hitting her clutch free throws…
"I've been working on my free throws, I started the season kind of bad for what I used to be. I've been focusing more because I know there are going to be moments like this where I have to make them, it was more about confidence."
NOTABLES
Utah is now 11-2 at home this season and have won 27 of its last 29 games in the Huntsman Center.
Alissa Pili has racked up 1,999 career points and is just one away from hitting the 2,000 point milestone. She brought 795 points with her when she transferred from USC. She's posted 1,204 points as a Ute. Pili became the fastest Ute to hit 1,000 points, achieving the milestone in just 48 games.
UP NEXT
The Utes will hit the road to take on UCLA on Feb. 22 and USC on Feb. 25. Utah will return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center to take on Washington State (Feb. 29) and Washington (March 2) for Senior Weekend. Utah will honor the three seniors, Dasia Young, Isabel Palmer and Alissa Pili.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Team Stats
CU
Utah
FG%
.500
.518
3FG%
.500
.368
FT%
.750
.750
RB
28
34
TO
11
16
STL
10
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
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