One of the Utah women’s basketball team’s top players will miss some time due to an injury as the Utes continue their march through Big 12 play.

Kennady McQueen has a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss a few games, though it isn’t a season-ending injury, coach Gavin Petersen told the media Tuesday.

“No update on timeline. It’s not broken, which is the good thing. High-ankle sprain is the preliminary result right now. I think there may be more done by our medical team,” Petersen said. “You know, I would estimate a few games at least missing, maybe longer, but we’ll have her back in the season, and that’s the plan moving down the road.”

McQueen, who was wearing a boot on her left foot Tuesday during a practice session open to the media, suffered the injury with about 20 seconds left in Utah’s 75-67 win at Iowa State on Sunday.

McQueen and Iowa State’s Aili Tanke both leapt for an inbounds pass, and, from watching the TV broadcast, Tanke appeared to hold onto McQueen’s arm as McQueen fell awkwardly to the ground.

The officials reviewed the play and deemed it was an intentional foul.

McQueen didn’t put any weight on her left leg as she was helped from the floor and taken to the trainer’s table.

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In McQueen’s absence, Maty Wilke will slide into the starting lineup, Petersen said, and that opens up chances for a group of freshmen guards led by Brooke Walker, who’s averaging 10.7 minutes per game, to earn some valuable experience.

WIlke started the final 13 games for Utah last season. This year, as one of the first players off the bench for the Utes, Wilke has averaged 20.8 minutes, 9.7 points, 2.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 49.4% from the floor.

Wilke has made 25 3-pointers this season, third on the team behind McQueen and leading scorer Gianna Kneepkens.

“Yeah, I think you know, next man-up mentality. Our program has been blessed with having players like Maty Wilke, able and ready to roll,” Petersen said. “She started games for us last season when an injury occurred, so there’s no really big surprise there. She’s going to easily slide into that role, and we shouldn’t miss much of a beat.

“Where we’re going to miss a beat is just in terms of our experience coming off the bench. But you know, good time for our freshmen to grow up and they’re going to get an opportunity to play, so excited to kind of see what they do with the opportunity.”

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McQueen, who joined the program in 2020, has been an integral part of the Utes’ three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

She is a four-year starter and this season, the Henefer, Utah, native is averaging a career-high 11.2 points per game, while adding 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest.

In the win over Iowa State, McQueen hit back-to-back 3-pointers that broke a 58-58 tie in the fourth quarter. She ended the night with 15 points, six rebounds and an assist.

This comes as No. 22 Utah is preparing to host No. 12 Kansas State at the Huntsman Center on Wednesday. Both teams are 3-0 in Big 12 play heading into the matchup.

Utah Utes guard Kennady McQueen smiles as she turns to run down the floor after hitting a 3-point shot against Utah State in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Utah won 87-34. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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