Alissa Pili scored 25 points, Gianna Kneepkens had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists and No. 13 Utah beat Colorado 85-58 on Wednesday night in a Pac-12 opener for both teams.
Pili scored 20-plus for the fourth straight game, including back-to-back 28-point performances. She was 10 of 14 from the field and Utah shot 57%.
Colorado had not allowed an opponent to score more than 50 points in the last four games but Utah, the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense at 94.4 points per game, reached the mark with 5:50 left in the third quarter.
“Anytime you can win in the Pac-12 it’s a good day,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said. “I have a lot of respect for Colorado, they play hard, they run their stuff, and they’re very well coached. The first quarter was back and forth, and it took us about six or seven minutes to wake up or play at the tempo and intensity that we normally do. From there, other than finishing the third quarter with a lack of intensity, I thought we did a good job.”
Utah started the fouth quarter on a 15-2 run, with seven points from Pili.
Jenna Johnson added 14 points and seven rebounds for Utah (9-0), which moved up to its highest position in the AP poll since 2008. The Utes remain at home to face UC Riverside on Saturday.
Utah took control in the second quarter, going on a 21-4 run to build a 40-21 lead and it was 44-28 at halftime. Colorado only made two field goals, on 14 attempts, in the second quarter.
Aaronette Vonleh scored 10 points for Colorado (8-3). The Buffaloes made just 18-of-58 shots (31%).
“Our defense on the perimeter was very good,” Roberts said. “They’re a top 15 team in the country in three-point percentage and we held them to 3 for 14. Our guards were flying around and Kennady (McQueen) did a tremendous job on (Frida) Foremann, she didn’t hit a three and was rushed all game. Quay Miller is a talent for Colorado and Jenna (Johnson) took three charges on her and as a player, when you get charges called on you it makes you more tentative so those are little things in games that add up to big wins. I’m proud of everybody, Gianna (Kneepkens) and (Alissa) Pili were both incredibly efficient and with their numbers, it was just a great team win. A win in this league is a big deal and when you win by 27, it’s a good day.”
