Utes Go Cold From Perimeter, Fall To No. 25 Oregon In Pac-12 Finale
Feb 26, 2022, 3:05 PM
Utah guard Brynna Maxwell dribbles against Saint Mary's. (Photo courtesy of Nick Grace, Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Nick Grace, Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utes set a program record for three’s made in a single season with 260, but come up short against Oregon in a 73-65 loss.
The Utes hosted the No. 25 Oregon Ducks on Senior Night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, February 26.
𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝘾𝙃𝙊𝙊𝙇 𝙍𝙀𝘾𝙊𝙍𝘿 🚨@brynnamaxwell hits our 254th three-pointer of the season which breaks our previous single-season record of 253 which was set in the 2019-20 season.
This is the 3️⃣rd time under @utescoachrob that this record has been broken! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/7HgjWzoDPO
— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) February 26, 2022
Opening a perfect 6-6 from the field, Oregon built a 16-3 advantage in less than three minutes of action.
After a Lynne Roberts timeout, Utah’s defense appeared to click in.
Thanks to their defense forcing ten straight misses and five turnovers in the final 6:49 of the quarter, Utah was able to claw back to within eight.
👀look at this jumper by @brynnamaxwell!
💻 https://t.co/zZsg19OWPv#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/sFfBykZEhw
— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) February 26, 2022
Stifling Oregon defense prevented Utah from finding any offensive rhythm in the first half. Entering as one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country, the Utes missed 10 straight from beyond the arc before Isabel Palmer hit one from the top of the key. The 0-10 start from three was the worst shooting quarter for the Utes this season.
Oregon closed the opening half on a 10-3 run to take a 38-22 halftime lead.
💥 @palmerisabel11 from downtown!
💻 https://t.co/zZsg19OWPv#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/RJyrTmpUu0
— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) February 26, 2022
In the third, Utah showed a renewed intensity and willingness to dictate the action on offense.
Jenna Johnson caught fire, shooting a perfect 7-7 from the field with a pair of three’s, finishing with 17 points in the quarter.
With 7-0 run to close the third, the Utes cut the Oregon lead to 54-51.
.@jenna_johnson22 with the BIG 3!
💻 https://t.co/zZsg19OWPv#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/gAqQ6ontNW
— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) February 26, 2022
It was all Oregon down the stretch as they limited the Utes to just 10 shot attempts in the final quarter.
The Ducks were able to ride out Utah’s hot third quarter play. After a Kennady McQueen breakaway layup brought the Utes within one at 54-53, Oregon scored nine straight. Utah wouldn’t get within six the rest of the way.
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Johnson finished with a career high 27 points in the losing effort. She also collected four rebounds and three assists.
All five Oregon starters scored in double-figures with Sydney Parrish’s 18 points leading the way.
With the regular season in the rear-view mirror, Utah shifts their focus to the Pac-12 Conference postseason tournament at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 2.
