Kneepkens Secures Fifth Pac-12 Freshman Of The Week Honor
Feb 15, 2022, 8:39 PM
(Photo courtesy of Nick Grace, Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITYΒ – The magical season for the versatile freshman out of Duluth, MN continues as Gianna Kneepkens as she has been named the Pac-12 Freshman Of The Week for the fifth time.
The Pac-12 announced their honors for the week of February 7-13 on Monday, February 14.
Her five freshman of the week awards are the most for any player in the Pac-12 this season.
ππππ ππ π πππ. π@giannakneepkens has been named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for the fifth time this season. π
She averaged 14.3 points, shot 51.6 percent from the field and pulled down 5.3 rebounds a game in our last three contests. pic.twitter.com/e9lX9KWLPG
— Utah Basketball (@UTAHWBB) February 14, 2022
Kneepkens began the week quietly, scoring 10 points against USC while grabbing three boards in the 91-69 Utah win.
Against No. 2 Stanford, scored 12 points. She also contributed four rebounds and an assist as the Utes five game winning streak came to a close, 91-64.
Kneepkens saved her best work for the closing minutes of an 80-75 win at Cal.
With the Utes trailing 75-73 in overtime, Kneepkens went on a tear. After giving Utah a 76-75 lead with a three, she blocked a layup attempt and then iced the game with four straight free throws.
Her seven points in the final 1:26 of overtime allowed Kneepkens to finish with a team high 21 points. She also corralled a career-high nine rebounds.
Kneepkens and the Utes stay on the road this week as they will take on the USC Trojans at the Galen Center on Friday, February 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (MDT).