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NCAA women: 3 keys to Utah’s first Big Dance win since 2009, a 92-69 rout of Arkansas

Kennady McQueen scores a team-high 20 points and Utah advances to the second round of the Spokane Regional in Austin, Texas

By Jay Drew
SHARE NCAA women: 3 keys to Utah’s first Big Dance win since 2009, a 92-69 rout of Arkansas
Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens drives around Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament.

Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) drives around Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels, right, during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press

Utah’s women’s basketball team picked up its first NCAA Tournament win since 2009 on Friday night, routing Arkansas 92-69 at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.

The seventh-seeded Utes improved to 21-11 and will face Texas on Sunday in a second-round game in Austin. Tipoff time for that game has yet to be announced.

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Utah jumped out to a 10-0 lead Friday and never trailed in its first appearance in the Big Dance since 2011. The Utes shot 50% from the field in building a 44-27 lead at halftime.

Arkansas (18-14) cut the deficit to 10 a couple times in the second half but could get no closer.

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Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) drives to the basket against Arkansas guard Sasha Goforth (13) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) is fouled by Arkansas guard Sasha Goforth (13) as she drives to the basket during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) drives to the basket against Arkansas guard Rylee Langerman (11) and guard Jersey Wolfenbarger (24) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) shotos past Arkansas guard Jersey Wolfenbarger (24) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) shotos past Arkansas guard Jersey Wolfenbarger (24) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) is fouled as she drives to the basket against Arkansas guard Rylee Langerman, right, during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah head coach Lynne Roberts signals to her players during the first half of a college basketball game against Arkansas in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) drives around Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels, right, during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) drives to the basket against Arkansas guard Sasha Goforth (13) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) and Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels (43) reach for a rebound during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens (5), guard Kennady McQueen (24) and teammates celebrate their win over Arkansas in a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah guard Isabel Palmer (1) drives to the basket against Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels (43) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels (43) drives to the basket against Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) during the second half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Dasia Young (34) and Arkansas guard Sasha Goforth, right, battle for control of the ball during the second half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Arkansas guard Samara Spencer (2) shoots past Utah forward Kelsey Rees (53) during the second half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Kelsey Rees (53) celebrates a score against Arkansas during the second half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Utah forward Dasia Young (34) steals the ball from Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels (43) during the second half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Eric Gay, Associated Press
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Here are 3 keys to the Utes’ first Big Dance win in 13 years:

• Utah point guard Dru Gylten recorded six assists in the first half, 11 in the game, and moved into fourth place on the school’s career assists list with 548. The Utes won despite committing 19 turnovers.

• Kennady McQueen made Utah’s first 3-point attempt and finished with 20 points to lead the Utes, who shot 52% from the field and were an amazing 15 of 31 from 3-point range. Gianna Kneepkens chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds.

• Senior Amber Ramirez led Arkansas with 24 points, but missed her first seven shots and was 10 of 28 from the field. Kelsey Rees added 11 points and 10 rebounds for Utah, which played without starting center Peyton McFarland, out for the season with a left leg injury.

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