Gianna Kneepkens carries Utah to exciting rivalry win over BYU

Gianna Kneepkens said she didn’t carry a grudge after she suffered a season-ending injury in a game against BYU last year.

The Duluth, Minn., native had more than 12 months to think about it, however. Regardless of her reasons, she showed the resolve and competitiveness the Utes missed afterward.

Saturday afternoon at BYU’s Marriott Center, she poured in 32 points and made seven straight free throws in the final minutes to lift Utah to an 81-76 over the Cougars in a Big 12 Conference game.

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In front of a nearly 5,000 fans, Kneepkens also made 8 of 16 shots, including 6 of 7 from 3-point range. The league’s free-throw shooting leader also was 10 for 12 from the line as Utah beat the Cougars for the third straight time and improved to 15-5 overall and 6-3 in league.

“When you have an in-state rivalry, it’s hard,” said Utah coach Gavin Petersen. “We knew we were going to get their best shot and they have our respect in terms of what they’re going to do, and they’re going to get our best shot. Gianna Kneepkens hit some really big shots that helped us settle in and I’m proud of our kids.”

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BYU fell to 10-9 and 1-7 in conference play. The Cougars have lost their last four league contests but got off to a fine start Saturday. An 11-0 run gave them a seven-point lead in the first quarter but that was quickly reduced when Kneepkens responded with a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws.

That trey was Kneepkens’ only shot in the first 10 minutes and the game stayed close until just under six minutes left when Maye Toure (21 points) and Kneepkens nailed consecutive shots from long range and sophomore Reese Ross followed with a layup to build a 68-59 lead.

BYU responded, and actually cut the margin to 73-70 with 53 seconds to play after freshman Delaney Gibb connected on a couple of bombs Cougar fans probably hadn’t seen since the Jimmer Fredette era.

But the Utes then fed Kneepkens and the 91% free throw shooter kept connecting and BYU finally couldn’t keep up.

“I didn’t think about it (carrying a grudge) because it was a  non-contact injury,” Kneepkens said. “I’m pretty ‘even Steven’ but I’m probably the most competitive person I know and when games get tight, I get really passionate. When I want a win a game, I show some passion and it came out tonight.”

Gibb had 21 points for BYU, including three treys. Amari Whiting and Kemery Congdon, a former Corner Canyon High standout and Ute player, had 12 points each.

Whiting was also responsible for guarding Kneepkens for much of the game, and initially kept her in check while the Cougars grabbed early momentum.

BYU had a 10-point lead at one point, thanks to its suffocating defense. The Cougars also stayed with Utah from 3-point range, making 10 of 19 shots. However, they lost the rebounding battle 42-31 and couldn’t take full advantage offensively of the Utes’ early turnover problems.

One of the game’s highlights for the Utes was the return of Kennady McQueen. The junior sharpshooter from nearby Henefer returned from an ankle injury and played 11 minutes.

She even made the only 3-pointer she attempted and was on the court during a lengthy Utes’ scoring run that got them back into the game. She didn’t play after halftime though, and Petersen said he would listen to his team’s training staff to determine how quickly she might return to the starting lineup.

McQueen and the Utes have some time off until their next game — vs. Arizona — at the Jon M. Huntsman Center Jan. 31. The Cougars play host to Colorado Jan. 29.

The Utes and Cougars also have a rematch in the regular-season finale March 1 in Salt Lake City.