Gianna Kneepkens scored a season-best 28 points and No. 8 Utah recorded an 84-78 upset of No. 3 Stanford on Saturday at Salt Lake City to claim a share of the Pac-12 regular-season title for the first time.
The accomplishment comes just two seasons after Utes won only five games.
“Sometimes, people told me I was crazy to think that was possible, but I knew it was and it’s incredibly satisfying to have it happen,” eighth-year Utah coach Lynne Roberts said afterward. “That’s my job, and I’m stubborn, and I wouldn’t believe it couldn’t happen. I knew we could do it, I knew it could happen.
“Salt Lake City’s an incredible place. They love their Utes, and that’s one of the reasons I took this job. I knew it was a challenge, but if you tell me I can’t do something, I’m going to show you that we can.”
The Utes (25-3, 15-3 Pac-12) are in good position to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Utah made the tourney last season for the first time since 2011. The Utes finished 21-12.
Hannah Jump scored 24 points for Stanford (27-4, 15-3), which shared the crown with Utah and will be the top seed for the upcoming Pac-12 tournament.
The Cardinal are expected to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Utah moved into the Pac-12 for the 2011-12 season.
–Field Level Media
