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Women's Basketball Runs Past UC Riverside

by Utah Athletics
Jan 14, 2022

SALT LAKE CITY – After a 24-day layoff, the Utah women's basketball team returned to the court and ran past visiting UC Riverside, 89-48, on Friday afternoon. The win was head coach Lynne Roberts 100th win at the University of Utah.
 
In the victory, Utah (9-3) hit 12 three-pointers, the ninth time this season hitting eight more threes in a game, and is now 52-19 under head coach Lynne Roberts when making eight or more threes in a game. Jenna Johnson led the way with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Dru Gylten led the Utes with six assists. The Utes held UC Riverside (3-6) to 37 percent shooting from the floor and 13 percent on three-pointers. 
 
The Utes traded buckets with the Highlanders to start the game, as Jenna Johnson scored the first basket for Utah with a three-pointer. UC Riverside held an 8-7 lead with 6:42 left in the quarter be the Utes went on a 17-1 run over the final 5:27 of the quarter taking a 24-9 after one-quarter of play. Brynna Maxwell made seven free throws during the run, and Andrea Torres and Dasia Young each hit a three-pointer. 
 
Utah continued to hold onto a double-figure lead in the second quarter, and eight-straight points by Kennady McQueen extended the Utah lead to 19 points, 37-18, with 4:32 to go in the first half. Following the second three by McQueen, the Utes went scoreless for three minutes, and the lead was down to 12 points, 37-25. Young broke the scoreless drought for Utah by hitting a layup. Maxwell hit a three on the next trip down the court for Utah, growing the lead to 17 points 42-25, which would be the halftime score.  

The Utes came out of halftime and stretched their lead to 21 points, 46-25, following a layup by Johnson. The offense continued to click, and midway through the third quarter, Young hit a three-pointer, putting Utah ahead by 26, 58-32. Utah continued to extend its lead, and after a three by Maxwell, Utah's lead was up to 29, 61-32, late in the third quarter. After three-quarters of play, Utah led 63-36.

 
The Utes continued to hold onto a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, and after a three by Johnson, Utah led by 28, 68-40. The Utes grew the lead into the 30s following a three-pointer by Dru Gylten. Utah continued to extend its lead in the fourth, and after another three by Johnson, Utah led by 36, 80-44. Utah continued to add to the lead, and a jumper by Maka Jackson put Utah head by 39, 85-46. Utah added two more points and won its ninth game as they defeated UC Riverside, 89-48. 

GAME LEADERS
Utah had three players score in double-figures, with Jenna Johnson leading the way with 18 points. Brynna Maxwell followed with 15 points and Peyton McFarland added 13 points. McFarland led the team with seven rebounds, and Dru Gylten dished out six assists. 
 
TALKING ABOUT THE GAME: HEAD COACH LYNNE ROBERTS
"Today gave us a chance to get back and play after the layoff we had. I appreciate the University and the Athletic Department for stepping up and getting everything ready for the game today. To play against somebody else and work on your game, there is no comparison to having a chance to play verse practice."
 
STANDOUT STAT
- For the ninth time this season, Utah hit eight or more three-pointers as they hit 12 against UC Riverside. The Utes improved to 52-19 under head coach Lynne Roberts when making eight or more threes in a game. 
- Seven different players hit a three in the game, led by Jenna Johnson with three. Brynna Maxwell, Dasia Young, and Kennady McQueen followed, adding two apiece. 
 
UP NEXT
Following the contest against UC Riverside, Utah hosts the Cardinal of Stanford University on Sunday, Jan. 16th. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MT and can be seen on the Pac-12 Networks or by turning on ESPN700 and hear Tyson Ewing on the call.
 
Follow the Utes!
Fans can follow along during the 2021-22 season on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB). 

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