Utah WBB Beats Arkansas With Record Shooting, Advances In Tourney

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah women’s basketball team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks with a record-breaking shooting performance to advance from the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 7 seed Utes played the No. 10 Razorbacks at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas on Friday, March 18.

Wire-to-Wire Win

Utah defeated Arkansas, 92-69. It’s Utah’s first time advancing to the Round of 32 since 2009.

𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘.

For the first time since 2009, the Utes are headed to the Round of 32! We will take on #15 Fairfield or #2 Texas on Sunday. #GoUtes | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/EG1PEqrUyQ

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 18, 2022

The Utes opened the contest on a 10-0 run and never looked back in their wire-to-wire victory.

.@UTAHWBB opens the game on a 10-0 run. 🔥#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/74DILRTWw7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 18, 2022

Following the first 10 minutes of action, Utah owned an eight-point lead. During the second quarter, the Utes built their scoreboard advantage to double-digits.

Strong start for the Utes. 💪🙌

End 1Q@RazorbackWBB 12@UTAHWBB 20 #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/2hqeb52CeE

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 18, 2022

Kennady McQueen scored 11 points in the first half and helped Utah take a 44-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Utah shot 53.6 percent from the field, including 7-14 from 50.0 from beyond the arc during the opening 20 minutes of game time.

Utah stretches the lead at the buzzer to 17 heading into half-time.#MarchMadness x @UTAHWBB pic.twitter.com/soP1zN33Ah

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 18, 2022

Record-Breaking Performance

Arkansas responded with a mini-run to begin the third quarter. The Razorbacks trimmed the Utes’ lead to 10 points with 6:49 left in the quarter but that’s the closest Arkansas would get.

Inês Vieira connected on a triple late in the quarter for Utah’s 11th three-pointer of the contest. Vieira’s three broke the school record for the most three-pointers made during an NCAA game. The previous mark of 10 three-pointers was set against Louisville in 1998.

.@inesvieira03 with the 11th triple of the game for the Utes. This is the most threes Utah has in an NCAA Game.

The previous record was set in 1998.

Tune in to ESPNews
📺 https://t.co/dwgnqRby7J#GoUtes | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/5qxaNTp4X8

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 18, 2022

Utah took a 16-point lead into the fourth quarter.

The Utes build that advantage up to 30 points with a couple of minutes left to play.

Utah closed the contest by outscoring Arkansas in the final quarter, 24-17. Utah finished the game shooting 51.6 from the field, including 48.4 from downtown. The Utes limited the Razorbacks to 35.4 percent shooting, including only 4-23 for 17.4 percent from three.

Four Utes reached double figures in scoring.

McQueen led the Utes with 20 points on 6-9 shooting from distance. She added six rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Kelsey Rees posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Dru Gylten dished out 11 assists.

Dimes by Dru!@druu_marykayy 🤝 @KennadyMcqueen

Tune in to ESPNews
📺 https://t.co/dwgnqRby7J#GoUtes | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/DyfxTIHYr6

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 18, 2022

Utah’s next game will be in the second round against the winner of No. 2 Texas and No. 15 Fairfield. The game will take place on Sunday, March 20.

The Utes finished the regular season and Pac-12 Conference Tournament with a 20-11 record before reaching the NCAA Tournament.

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