3 keys to Utah’s win over South Dakota State in the NCAA Tournament’s first round

Utes take over after halftime to advance in the NCAAs

Published: March 23, 2024, 10:07 p.m. MDT

Utah forward Alissa Pili (35) tries the keep the ball in play next to South Dakota State forwards Mesa Byom (24) and Brooklyn Meyer (31) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. Young Kwak, Associated Press

SPOKANE, Washington — No. 5 seed Utah took over in the second half to beat No. 12 seed South Dakota State 68-54 at McCarthey Athletic Center on Saturday night in the first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

Utah guard Lani White (3), coach Lynne Roberts, right, and team members celebrate during the second half of a first-round college basketball game against South Dakota State in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

Utah guard Ines Vieira (2), guard Kennady McQueen and teammates celebrate a win against South Dakota State in a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

South Dakota State forward Mesa Byom, left, and Utah guard Inês Vieira fight for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA basketball game on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. Utah won 68-54. | Stephen Brashear, Associated Press

Utah forward Alissa Pili, centr, passes the ball against South Dakota State guard Jenna Hopp, left, and forward Mesa Byom, right, during the second half of an NCAA basketball game on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. Utah won 68-54. | Stephen Brashear, Associated Press

South Dakota State guard Paige Meyer, center, shoot the ball against Utah forward Jenna Johnson during the second half an NCAA basketball game on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. Utah won 68-54. | Stephen Brashear, Associated Press

South Dakota State guard Paige Meyer (21) and forward Mesa Byom (24) tie up Utah guard Ines Vieira during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

South Dakota State forward Brooklyn Meyer, right, drives while pressured by Utah forward Jenna Johnson during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

Utah coach Lynne Roberts shouts to players during the first half of the team's first-round college basketball game against South Dakota State in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

Utah guard Kennady McQueen, center, drives between South Dakota State forwards Tori Nelson (20) and Mesa Byom during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

Utah forward Jenna Johnson, left, disrupts a shot by South Dakota State forward Brooklyn Meyer during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

South Dakota State forward Mesa Byom (24) grabs a rebound during the first half of the team's first-round college basketball game against Utah in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

South Dakota State forward Tori Nelson (20) drives to the basket while pressured by Utah guard Ines Vieira (2) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

Utah guard Ines Vieira (2) shoots against South Dakota State during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

Utah guard Kennady McQueen (24) and teammates celebrate during the second half of a first-round college basketball game against South Dakota State in the women's NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

Utah forward Jenna Johnson (22) reaches for a rebound next to South Dakota State guard Jenna Hopp (2) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, March 23, 2024. | Young Kwak, Associated Press

South Dakota State forward Mesa Byom, left, goes up for a shot against Utah forward Alissa Pili during the first half of an NCAA basketball game on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. | Stephen Brashear, Associated Press

South Dakota State guard Paige Meyer, right, passes the ball against Utah guard Matyson Wilke during the first half of an NCAA basketball game on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. | Stephen Brashear, Associated Press

3 takeaways

Top performers: Alissa Pili put up 26 points, seven rebounds and three steals while making three 3-pointers to pace an overall efficient night for the Utah offense.

Kennady McQueen (17 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals) also had a strong night on the offensive end, while Jenna Johnson provided solid defense in the paint, particularly against Brooklyn Meyer, and also had eight points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Tori Nelson led three Jackrabbits in double-figures, as she had 14 points and four rebounds.

It wasn’t always easy, but Utah had enough answers to beat South Dakota State in the NCAA Tournament

One quarter to the next: Utah appeared to be on its way to a blowout win in the first quarter, taking a 20-3 lead through one period while holding South Dakota State to 1 of 12 shooting.

The Jackrabbits responded with a 17-0 run in the second quarter, however, as Utah missed its final seven shots of the first half and went more than seven minutes without a point.

Even with such an up-and-down game, the Utes finished the night shooting 47.4%, including 55.2% in the second half.

South Dakota State made just 32.7% of its shots.

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Key stretch: While Utah took back control of the game with an 11-1 run to start the second half and later added an 8-2 spurt late in the third quarter to go up 14, the Utes used a quick 5-0 spurt in fourth quarter to get some distance again after a South Dakota State 3-pointer made it a nine-point game.

First, McQueen confidently hit a 3 to push the lead back into double-digits, then a minute later, she tossed it inside to Pili for a layup. That made it a 14-point game and the Jackrabbits never got within single digits again.

What’s next?

The Utes (23-10) will play No. 4 seed and subregional host Gonzaga in the NCAA’s second round on Monday, with tip at 8:30 p.m. MDT. The winner will move on to the Sweet Sixteen.

The Zags fell behind early against No. 13 seed UC Irvine before dominating the second and third quarters in a 75-56 victory.

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