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)
Sunday, February 23
Cincinnati, OH
Noon (MT)
University of Utah
at
Cincinnati
UP NEXT: Utah Heads to Cincinnati to Kick Off Final Regular Season Road Trip
2/21/2025 10:56 AM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Utes women's basketball team looks to bounce back as the Utes head to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats for the first time this season.
The Utes are currently 20-6 on the season and 11-4 in Big 12 play and currently sitting at No. 6 in the Big 12 standings after falling to Oklahoma State 68-64 (2/28).
GAME INFORMATION
Utah (20-6, 11-4 Big 12) vs. Cincinnati (15-10, 7-8 Big 12)
DATE | TIME: Sunday, Feb. 23 | Noon (MT)
LOCATION: Cincinnati | Fifth Third Arena
TV: ESPN+ | Watch
LISTEN: Click Here
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UtahWBB
HOW TO TUNE IN
Fans can watch the matchup on ESPN+ with Anthony Mazzini & A.B. Stocks on the call. The radio call will be on ESPN700 and can be found on the TuneIn app, with Tyson Ewing and Milee Rustand calling the action.
LAST TIME OUT
Utah women's basketball team fell 68-64 to No. 24 Oklahoma State on Feb. 18. The Utes held the lead for three quarters of the game but a lag in the fourth quarter gave the Cowgirls room to take the win. Utah was led by Gianna Kneepkens' 16 points. Jenna Johnson also came up big for Utah with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
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.
50/40/90
Utah has not one but TWO elite level shooters in Gianna Kneepkens and Kennady McQueen. Kneepkens and McQueen are the only two players in the country currently averaging 50/40/90 while averaging at least 10 points per game and have played over 150 minutes.
• Gianna Kneepkens is averaging 19.2 points per game and has logged 771 minutes of play. She's shooting 52.0% from the field (159-306), 45.8% from three (77-168) and 91.2% from the free throw line (103-113).
• Kennady McQueen is averaging 11.0 points per game and has logged 584 minutes of play. She's shooting 51.9% from the field (83-160), 44.4% from the three (48-108) and 94.4% from the line (17-18).
KNOWING KNEEPKENS
Kneepkens is currently averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting 52.0% from the field, 45.8% from the three and 91.2% from the free throw line going 103-of-113. She is averaging 5.3 rebounds per game. She leads the Utes from beyond the arc knocking down 77 total so far on the year. Kneepkens sits in the Top 10 in the nation in all three, three point statistical categories. She's No. 6 three point percentage (45.8), No. 9 total three pointers (77) and No. 8 three pointers per game (2.96).
Kneepkens was named Big 12 Player of the Week (1/27/25) after posting back-to-back 30 point games including a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25). Over the two games, she averaged 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals per game. She shot 58.8% from the field, 66.7% from the three and 83.3% from the line. Kneepkens' 31.0 points per game led league players during the week and ranked fourth in the country.
Kneepkens has recorded three 30 point games. Most recently she tied her career-high 32 points and six made threes against UCF (2/8/25). Before that she hit back-to-back 30 point games and established a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25/25) that included a career-high 10 made three pointers and tied a career-high six made three pointers.
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.
Utah is 13-1 when Kneepkens hits three or more three pointers in a game this season. 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 the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Midseason Team as well as the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year Midseason Watchlist. She was named a Cheryl Miller Award Top 10 candidate. In the preseason, she was a 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
The Utes received votes in the latest AP Top 25 Poll. Utah was ranked as high as No. 22 this season (Jan. 6) and received votes for five consecutive weeks prior to cracking the Top 25 the week of Jan. 6.
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 CINCINNATI
The Bearcats are currently 15-10 on the season and 7-8 in Big 12 play. Cincinnati is coming off a road win at Texas Tech on Wednesday, defeating the Red Raiders 59-56 in Lubbock.
The Utes and the Bearcats are set to record their third meeting in history after the two teams faced off in 2019 and 2021.
In their first ever meeting, the Bearcats took down Utah 68-62 in Cincinnati before the Utes avenged their loss and routed Cincy 78-45 in Salt Lake City.
Fifth-year forward Jillian Hayes stands out offensively, leading the team with 15.9 ppg without making a three-pointer all season (0-8). Hayes is also an exceptional rebounder, hauling in 9.7 rebounds per game which puts her second in the Big 12.
The Bearcats are dominant at getting to the charity stripe, ranking fifth in the country for free throws per game (23.20). Cincinnati completes the process nicely, shooting 74.0% at the line which marks sixth in the conference. Cincinnati notched both times in which the most free throws were made in a single game this season for the Big 12, accumulating 31 versus Central Conn. State (12/3) and Western Illinois (12/6) just days later.
The Bearcats are led by head coach Katrina Merriweather who is in her 3rd season in Cincinnati. She has a 29-23 record at the helm of the Bearcats.
NEW THIS WEEK
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience, from managing tickets to mobile concessions ordering, as well as video content, news and information, schedules, rosters and stats. 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).
The Utes are currently 20-6 on the season and 11-4 in Big 12 play and currently sitting at No. 6 in the Big 12 standings after falling to Oklahoma State 68-64 (2/28).
GAME INFORMATION
Utah (20-6, 11-4 Big 12) vs. Cincinnati (15-10, 7-8 Big 12)
DATE | TIME: Sunday, Feb. 23 | Noon (MT)
LOCATION: Cincinnati | Fifth Third Arena
TV: ESPN+ | Watch
LISTEN: Click Here
LIVE STATS: Click Here
TWITTER UPDATES: @UtahWBB
HOW TO TUNE IN
Fans can watch the matchup on ESPN+ with Anthony Mazzini & A.B. Stocks on the call. The radio call will be on ESPN700 and can be found on the TuneIn app, with Tyson Ewing and Milee Rustand calling the action.
LAST TIME OUT
Utah women's basketball team fell 68-64 to No. 24 Oklahoma State on Feb. 18. The Utes held the lead for three quarters of the game but a lag in the fourth quarter gave the Cowgirls room to take the win. Utah was led by Gianna Kneepkens' 16 points. Jenna Johnson also came up big for Utah with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
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.
50/40/90
Utah has not one but TWO elite level shooters in Gianna Kneepkens and Kennady McQueen. Kneepkens and McQueen are the only two players in the country currently averaging 50/40/90 while averaging at least 10 points per game and have played over 150 minutes.
• Gianna Kneepkens is averaging 19.2 points per game and has logged 771 minutes of play. She's shooting 52.0% from the field (159-306), 45.8% from three (77-168) and 91.2% from the free throw line (103-113).
• Kennady McQueen is averaging 11.0 points per game and has logged 584 minutes of play. She's shooting 51.9% from the field (83-160), 44.4% from the three (48-108) and 94.4% from the line (17-18).
KNOWING KNEEPKENS
Kneepkens is currently averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting 52.0% from the field, 45.8% from the three and 91.2% from the free throw line going 103-of-113. She is averaging 5.3 rebounds per game. She leads the Utes from beyond the arc knocking down 77 total so far on the year. Kneepkens sits in the Top 10 in the nation in all three, three point statistical categories. She's No. 6 three point percentage (45.8), No. 9 total three pointers (77) and No. 8 three pointers per game (2.96).
Kneepkens was named Big 12 Player of the Week (1/27/25) after posting back-to-back 30 point games including a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25). Over the two games, she averaged 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals per game. She shot 58.8% from the field, 66.7% from the three and 83.3% from the line. Kneepkens' 31.0 points per game led league players during the week and ranked fourth in the country.
Kneepkens has recorded three 30 point games. Most recently she tied her career-high 32 points and six made threes against UCF (2/8/25). Before that she hit back-to-back 30 point games and established a career-high 32 points against BYU (1/25/25) that included a career-high 10 made three pointers and tied a career-high six made three pointers.
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.
Utah is 13-1 when Kneepkens hits three or more three pointers in a game this season. 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 the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Midseason Team as well as the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year Midseason Watchlist. She was named a Cheryl Miller Award Top 10 candidate. In the preseason, she was a 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
The Utes received votes in the latest AP Top 25 Poll. Utah was ranked as high as No. 22 this season (Jan. 6) and received votes for five consecutive weeks prior to cracking the Top 25 the week of Jan. 6.
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 CINCINNATI
The Bearcats are currently 15-10 on the season and 7-8 in Big 12 play. Cincinnati is coming off a road win at Texas Tech on Wednesday, defeating the Red Raiders 59-56 in Lubbock.
The Utes and the Bearcats are set to record their third meeting in history after the two teams faced off in 2019 and 2021.
In their first ever meeting, the Bearcats took down Utah 68-62 in Cincinnati before the Utes avenged their loss and routed Cincy 78-45 in Salt Lake City.
Fifth-year forward Jillian Hayes stands out offensively, leading the team with 15.9 ppg without making a three-pointer all season (0-8). Hayes is also an exceptional rebounder, hauling in 9.7 rebounds per game which puts her second in the Big 12.
The Bearcats are dominant at getting to the charity stripe, ranking fifth in the country for free throws per game (23.20). Cincinnati completes the process nicely, shooting 74.0% at the line which marks sixth in the conference. Cincinnati notched both times in which the most free throws were made in a single game this season for the Big 12, accumulating 31 versus Central Conn. State (12/3) and Western Illinois (12/6) just days later.
The Bearcats are led by head coach Katrina Merriweather who is in her 3rd season in Cincinnati. She has a 29-23 record at the helm of the Bearcats.
NEW THIS WEEK
- Utah continued receiving votes in the latest poll that dropped Feb. 17.
- Kneepkens sits in the Top 10 in the nation in all three three point statistical categories.
- No. 6 three point percentage (45.8)
- No. 9 total three pointers (77)
- No. 8 three pointers per game (2.96)
- The Utes are 13-1 in games when Gianna Kneepkens hits three or more three pointers in a game.
Gianna Kneepkens and Kennady McQueen are the only two players in the NCAA to sit at 50/40/90 while scoring over 200 points and have played over 150 minutes this season.
- 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.
- In Utah's 67-57 win over Washington, the Utes trailed by 10 points going into the fourth quarter. The Utes outscored the Huskies 27-7 in the fourth quarter to pull out the win. At the time, Utah was one of six teams to overcome a double digit deficit for a victory.
- Gianna Kneepkens has left no doubts with her comeback as she leads the team averaging 19.2 points per game shooting 52.0% from the field, 45.8% from the three and 91.2% from the free throw line. She also leads the team in made three pointers with 77 and free throws with 103.
- 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 currently in the top 30 nationally in six major statistical categories:
- No. 9 assists per game (18.8)
- No. 10 field goal percentage (47.6)
- No. 29 scoring offense (77.8)
- No. 18 three point attempts per game (26.2)
- No. 6 three pointers per game (10.0)
- No. 7 three point percentage (38.0)
- Gianna Kneepkens is currently No. 12 in the nation and leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage with 91.2.
- Kneepkens recently jumped to No. 24 in the nation in scoring with 498 total points on the season and No. 32 in points per game with 19.2.
- She sits in the Top 10 in the nation in all three three point statistical categories.
- No. 6 three point percentage (45.8)
- No. 9 total three pointers (77)
- No. 8 three pointers per game (2.96)
- Kennady McQueen sits at No 16 in the nation in three point percentage with her 44.4% on the season.
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience, from managing tickets to mobile concessions ordering, as well as video content, news and information, schedules, rosters and stats. 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).
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