She was the nation's No. 2 3-point shooter last year and a preseason all-America candidate this year, but for the first 34 minutes of Wednesday's NIT game against Oregon, Utah's Julie Krommenhoek was firing nothing but bricks off the back of the iron.
"I actually felt good, it just wasn't going in," she said later about her slow 2-for-11 shooting start.Thankfully for the Utes, Krommenhoek didn't stop shooting.
She sank three straight 3-pointers in a four-minute stretch late in the game to help lead the Utes to a 73-61 victory at the Huntsman Center.
The victory sends the Utes to the second round of the preseason NIT tournament to face Colorado, a 63-56 winner over New Mexico State. The Utes and Buffs meet Friday night in Boulder.
Although Krommenhoek helped the Utes extend a tenuous 4-point advantage to a double-figure lead in the final minutes, it was the Utes' inside players who kept them on top most of the game.
Center Amber McEwen came up with a huge game, scoring 21 points, pulling down 11 rebounds and playing great defense, while newcomer Lisa Thueson scored 14 points from the forward position.
Perhaps the most important player for Utah was Richelle Cleverly, the backup point guard who played 27 minutes because of foul trouble to starter Alli Bills.
Cleverly, a seldom-used reserve a year ago, only scored two points, but she came through with nine assists and four steals, while directing the Ute offense.
Coach Elaine Elliott reserved much praise for Cleverly afterward.
"She knew she was going to play this year and she was prepared tonight," she said. "She picked us up defensively and played with confidence."
After falling behind by seven early, the Utes came back with a 19-3 run to go up 26-17. Then the Ducks scored 10 straight to regain the lead before Utah took a 33-28 halftime lead. At halftime, Krommenhoek was 0-for-5 from the field, while backcourt mate Bills was 0-for-3.
The contest stayed up for grabs until Krommenhoek's late treys put the game away. Krommenhoek finished with 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-10 from 3-point range.
"I just kept working and knew eventually they would start falling," said Krommenhoek.
Oregon, which was much taller with three 6-footers in the starting lineup, was led by Arianne Boyer with 19 points and Lisa Bowyer with 12. The smaller Utes outrebounded the Ducks 39 to 29.
"Utah's a great team," said Oregon coach Jody Runge. "They did a great job on the offensive boards."
If the Utes win Friday, they'll play again Sunday and another win would put them in the NIT finals Tuesday. Their next home game is Nov. 27 against Western Kentucky.