Women's basketball becomes the latest BYU team to lose to Utah

It was the Utah chants that rained down in the Marriott Center Saturday as the Utes defeated the Cougars 81-76.

A valiant effort by the Cougars fell short in the first Big 12 edition of the storied rivalry.

No matter the sport, the bad blood between BYU and Utah always shows up. Fans of both schools made sure to make their voices heard and that jawing back and forth translated to the players and their intensity on the court.

Gianna Kneepkens and Maye Toure led the charge for the Utes as Kneepkens scored 32 while Toure added 21 and grabbed eight rebounds. For BYU, it was a balanced affair. Kemery Congdon and Amari Whiting each scored 12 points in the loss, while Delaney Gibb scored 21, including 19 in the second half.

Utah’s size looked like it would be a problem early, but the Cougars outworked the Utes early in the game. BYU was able to make the little plays which came from its effort. The Cougars had deflections, steals and blocks which led to points in transition.

However, good teams do not stay stagnant for long. Utah was able to ramp up its energy and attention to detail and battled back after the Cougars took an early lead.

The Utes focused their defensive attention on Gibb for much of the first half, limiting the five-time Big 12 freshman of the week to only two points in the first half while also forcing her to commit five turnovers.

Utah was able to flip the switch in the second half, utilizing its size and hustle to out-rebound BYU. The Utes were able to grab 42 rebounds while the Cougars just managed a total of 31. This differential would be just too much for BYU to overcome in the end.

Down 55-54 entering the fourth quarter, the Cougars got four quick fouls but they were able to lock in defensively and prevent the Utes from running away with the game when they had every chance to.

Just like they did a week ago in Lubbock, the Cougars battled back and got the score within three with just under a minute remaining thanks to back-to-back threes by Gibb.

When asked about Gibb’s resurgence in the second half, coach Amber Whiting said, “We put her on-ball around high screens on purpose to get her going and so I think she did that. That's what we need from her every night. I'm super proud of her. That's a freshman out there and that she did that for us."

BYU was not able to close the game out after it became a free throw battle down the stretch before falling to the Utes.

“Going through this valley, I feel like the fact that they just keep fighting, they just keep bringing it every night out and every practice,” Whiting said.

This young Cougars team showed grit Saturday and they will look to build off this performance as they host Colorado Wednesday.

BYU (10-9, 1-7) will face Utah (15-5, 6-3) again as these two teams will meet to close out the regular season on March 1. The Cougars will make the trip north to play the Utes at the Huntsman Center.