Maty Wilke’s Game-Winning Halfcourt Heave Gives Utah 76-73 Win Over BYU
Mar 1, 2025, 3:49 PM | Updated: Mar 3, 2025, 1:16 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – In a very competitive contest highlighted by Maty Wilke’s game-winning halfcourt heave, the Utah women’s basketball knocked off the BYU Cougars, 76-73.
It was a back-and-forth battle in overtime but Utah got the defensive stop and Wilke made the play that will be remembered for quite some time.
HALF COURT, FOR THE WIN, IN OVERTIME@MatyWilke
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📺 https://t.co/6BYfyDsqka#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/0TZ8CnSNhL— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 1, 2025
Today also served as Senior Day, and the program honored five seniors: Jenna Johnson, Inês Vieira, Kennady McQueen, Néné Sow, and Mayé Touré. And those seniors each played a vital role in today’s outcome.
Utah was led by Maye Toure’s 24 points and 13 rebounds and Gianna Kneepkens’s 20 points—18 of which came in the fourth and overtime periods.
Gavin Peterson and the Utes improve to 21-7 overall and 12-5 in conference play and turn their attention to the Big 12 Tournament.
First half – BYU Vs Utah
Utah started the game with a Kennady McQueen 3-pointer, which given what she’s meant to the program was rather fitting. Then, Maye Toure knocked down a 3-pointer and jump hook, and Gianna Kneepkens added a little runner. That gave Utah a 10-0 lead and BYU called a timeout.
After the break, Utah only continued to build upon their lead. Despite a 3-pointer for BYU after the timeout, Utah’s defensive intensity led to multiple turnovers for the Cougs. That allowed Utah to score 7 unanswered and take a 17-3 lead. The Cougars would go on an 11-0 run to finish the quarter, which ended with Utah holding onto an 18-14 edge.
After a five-minute scoring drought, BYU ended up tying the game up 18-18. Brooke Walker eventually knocked down a jumper to end the scoreless stretch for Utah. Then Jenna Johnson knocked down her second 3-pointer of the game, followed by her third a couple of possessions later.
🦟 THE MOSQUITO🦟
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📺 https://t.co/6BYfyDsqka#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/DH0ls8Imv6— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 1, 2025
Ines Vieira connected from deep, then Toure finished another one at the rim off of a great dish from Kneepkens. Toure also made a pair of free throws to give the Utes a 33-24 lead.
To finish the quarter, Walker had a great finish on a runner as she weaved through the paint, then Maty Wilke stole the ensuing inbound and knocked down a jumper, which gave Utah a 37-27 lead at the half. At the half, Toure led the Utes with 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Johnson had 9 points.
Second half – Utah 37, BYU 27
After the intermission, the Cougars scored the first 7 points of the 3rd quarter. Utah was just cold and missed a number of quality looks, then Johnson finally got a layup to go, followed up by a Sam Crispe layup on the next possession. At the media timeout, Utah held onto a 41-36 lead.
Utah continued to create quality scoring opportunities but just failed to convert. Fortunately, Toure went to the line and knocked down a few free throws to preserve a four point lead going into the 4th quarter.
To start the final quarter, BYU’s Kemery Congdon knocked down a 3-pointer but Kneepkens responded with her first 3-pointer of the game on the other end.
G 💸 @giannakneepkens
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📺 https://t.co/6BYfyDsqka#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/R1REX6iRTh— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) March 1, 2025
On BYU’s ensuing possession, Kendra Gillispie was whistled for an offensive foul and technical foul. That sent Kneepkens to the line, where she knocked down both, and Toure added a layup on that possession after the free throws to give Utah a 51-43 lead.
Utah had built a 57-48 lead, but BYU’s Delaney Gibb and Kamery Congdon combined to knock down three consecutive 3-pointers to tie it up 57-57 with 59econds left.
In the final minute, BYU’s Lauren Davenport knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Cougars their first lead of the game. Kneepkens promptly responded on the ensuing possession with a 3-pointer of her own to tie it back up. In the final seconds, Utah got the defensive stop they needed to send it to overtime.
In the extended period, Utah and BYU continued to go back-and-forth. Kneepkens stepped up significantly in overtime for Utah. In the final seconds, Utah got a defensive stop and Maty Wilke knocked down a halfcourt heave to give Utah the win!
Final – Utah 76, BYU 73
UP NEXT – The Big 12 Tournament
Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship tips off Wednesday, March 5 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The Women’s Championship will take place from March 5 – March 9/10.
