Women’s Basketball
No. 5 Utes Open with Dominant Victory over Mississippi Valley State Gianna Kneepkens and Alissa Pili Earn National Preseason Honors
Kneepkens and Pili Named to Watch Lists, Pili a Preseason All-American Senior forward Alissa Pili and junior guard Gianna Kneepkens were both named to the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List. Kneepkens was recently named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Preseason Watchlist as well. Last season she averaged 15.3 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game. Pili earned honorable mention on the Associated Press Preseason All-American list, and was also named to the Katrina McClain Preseason Watchlist and the Wade Trophy Preseason Watchlist. Pili was a WBCA All- American last season and was named an AP and USBWA Second Team All-American. She ended the 2022-23 season 16th in the nation in scoring averaging 20.7 points per game. She was also 14th in the nation in field goal percentage shooting 59 percent on the year. Pili averaged 5.6 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game. She also shot 42 percent from the three and 79 percent from the free throw line.
The fifth ranked Utah women’s basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a 104-45 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Monday. After a tight first quarter, Utah outscored MVSU 29-6 in the second quarter and pushed out for a 51-30 lead going into halftime. Utah had five players score in double figures and were led by Alissa Pili’s 26 first half points. Pili went 7-for-7 from the field, and 10-for-12 from the line. Gianna Kneepkens had 18 points for Utah and led the team with eight rebounds and eight assists. Lani White had a career high 15 points going 6-7 from the field.
Jenna Johnson and Isabel Palmer each had 10 points for the Utes. Palmer put up an impressive seven assists. Ines Vieria had six assists and six steals to contribute to the Utes efforts. Utah ended the game shooting 58 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc, and 70 percent from the free throw line. Utah pulled down 46 total rebounds, 30 assists, 18 steals and 18 turnovers. After hosting South Carolina State on Thursday, Utah hits the road for the first time this season at Baylor on Nov. 14. Up Next
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2023
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