Utah Pulls Off Big Upset Road Win Over No. 15 Oregon State
Dec 8, 2020, 9:08 PM | Updated: 9:30 pm
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah women’s basketball team pulled off a massive upset win over No. 15 Oregon State 85-79.
It’s just the second game of the season for the Utes and were looking to bounce back after an 85-43 loss in Eugene to the Oregon Ducks on Sunday afternoon.
The last time Utah beat a top 25 team on the road was against then-No. 19 Arizona State on January 19, 2018.
“That was fun and the players are so excited,” Utah head coach Lynne Roberts said after the game. “I am more proud than excited though. To bounce back after Sunday, coming off a two-week quarantine while opening the season with one of the hardest road trips in the Pac-12, I am just so proud of this team. The ability to flip the switch like that and bounce back, and trust what we are saying as coaches – that is as good as it gets.”
79-85 WIN OVER #16 OREGON STATE!!
How about that for game #2?!!!?? pic.twitter.com/379aRPGZ83
— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) December 9, 2020
Sophomore guard Brynna Maxwell was tremendous with 34 points to lead all scorers. She shot 10-of-15 from the field, 4-for-7 from the three-point line and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line.
Coach Roberts was asked about Maxwell’s clutch free throws down the stretch of the game.
“I wanted her shooting those free throws, that was by design,” stated Roberts. “Her stepping to the free throw line, I’m never thinking anything other than when those go in. I have zero doubts and know she is going to make those free throws in those situations.”
Oregon State had a 24-20 lead at the end of the first quarter before Utah responded in the second by outscoring the Beavers 15-9. Utah outscored OSU 24-20 in the third quarter and both teams dropped 26 points in the fourth quarter.
Dru Gylten chipped in 12 points and 4 assists for the Utes. Former Corner Canyon star Kemery Martin had a big game off the bench with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. The Utes shot 39 percent from the field (27-68), 37 percent from downtown (10-27) and 84 percent at the free throw line (21-25).
Aleah Goodman led the Beavers with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and 5-for-7 from the perimeter.
Utah improved their record to 1-1 on the season and in conference play. They will return to Salt Lake City on Friday, December 11 to face Montana State in their home-opener at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. MST and will be streamed at utahutes.com.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.