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
Jay Drew
By Jay Drew
Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.

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.

Related
NCAA women: Utah puts together a complete and record-setting performance in Big Dance rout of Arkansas

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.

1 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
2 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
3 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
4 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
5 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
6 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
7 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
8 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
9 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
10 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
11 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
12 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
13 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
14 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
15 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
16 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
17 of 17
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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) | Eric Gay, Associated Press
View Comments

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.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.