Utah’s run in Las Vegas, and hopes for a top-seed within the NCAA ladies’s basketball match, got here to an finish Thursday night time.
Washington State surprised No. 3 Utah 66-58 within the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 match. The win was the primary in program historical past over a top-3 staff. WSU will tackle both Colorado or Oregon State on Friday within the convention semifinals.
Utah will now probably miss out on a No. 1 seed within the NCAA match. The Utes, who maintain a 25-4 report and earned a first-round bye on the Pac-12 match, have been changed by Maryland because the final No. 1 seed by ESPN’s Charlie Creme.
“They performed fearless,” Utah head coach Lynne Roberts mentioned. “They shot the ball nice within the second half and we saved pushing. We did not shoot to our regular skill, and you must give their protection some credit score on that.
“It’s laborious to, that they had a recreation below their belt and this was our first recreation. That’s not an excuse, however I believe that may be a actuality of getting that first-round bye. I additionally assume that the massive takeaway is how stinking good this convention is. I imply, that is an excellent staff, and they’re the 7 seed. It simply speaks to how good this convention is and the way on any given night time anybody can win.”
After a decent battle by the primary half, Washington State surged forward close to the tip of the third quarter. The Cougars used a 19-3 run that spanned about seven minutes and properly into the fourth quarter to take management of the sport.
Though Utah crawled again into it within the closing minutes, it was too late. Washington State guard Charlisse Leger-Walker sealed the win with a deep 3-pointer with eight seconds left, which propelled them to the eight-point win.
Leger-Walker completed with 15 factors and 5 rebounds within the win. Center Bella Murekatete added 19 factors and 5 rebounds.
It’s the primary time since 2016 {that a} top-2 seed didn’t attain the semifinals of the Pac-12 match.
Gianna Kneepkens led Utah with 18 factors and three rebounds, and Alissa Pili added 11 factors after taking pictures 3-of-14 from the sphere. They have been the one two gamers to attain in double figures for the Utes, who shot 37.7% from the sphere as a staff.
According to Creme, Maryland is now the ultimate No. 1 seed for the NCAA match. The Terrapins ended their common season on a six-game win streak, and can tackle Illinois within the Big Ten match Friday afternoon.
“I believe we simply must do it,” Roberts mentioned. “I believe our targets coming into the season was to win a convention championship, which we did. And to host the primary couple rounds of the NCAA match, which we’re going to have the ability to do. So our targets are nonetheless in entrance of us … When you get knocked down, it is extra gasoline to the fireplace. So it is nearly I believe higher. We’ll have extra time to apply. We acquired issues we will get higher at and I’ve little doubt that we’ll be spitting nails by the point that first spherical, the ball will get thrown up for that first spherical recreation.”
