Utah Women’s Basketball Tops UCF 67 to 57 in Key NCAA Matchup

Salt Lake City, Utah – Utah edged past UCF 67 to 57 in a tightly contested women’s basketball matchup at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, marking a pivotal win for the Utes in the 2025 NCAA season. The victory highlights Utah’s defensive discipline and balanced scoring as the team looks to strengthen its postseason positioning.

Utah controlled the tempo early, with Reese Ross contributing multiple driving layups and Chyra Evans recording crucial blocks in the first quarter. Maty Wilke’s long-range shooting helped the Utes maintain narrow leads, including a 26-foot three-pointer in the second quarter that extended Utah’s advantage. Lani White and Avery Hjelmstad provided consistent scoring off the bench, combining for 12 points while maintaining efficient floor spacing and defensive pressure.

UCF remained competitive throughout, with Mahogany Chandler-Roberts leading the Knights with 15 points, including a key 27-foot three-pointer in the first quarter. Kristol Ayson added 13 points, including multiple three-point baskets that kept UCF in striking distance. Savannah Scott and Summer Yancy contributed critical rebounds and assists, preventing Utah from pulling away early. Despite their efforts, UCF struggled with turnovers and shooting consistency, converting only 36 percent of field goal attempts in the first half.

The game featured 12 lead changes and several tied moments. Utah’s defensive rotations forced 15 turnovers in the first two quarters, while limiting UCF to 7 of 27 from three-point range. Historically, Utah has excelled in games where perimeter defense and bench scoring combine, winning over 60 percent of such contests since 2020. This victory strengthens their outlook for NCAA tournament seeding and highlights head coach Lynne Roberts’ continued emphasis on team depth and versatility.

From a roster and performance perspective, Utah’s bench contributions were decisive. Players like Evelina Otto and LA Sneed combined for eight points and multiple defensive rebounds, showcasing the team’s depth beyond its starting five. For UCF, defensive rebounding remained a challenge, with Utah securing 12 offensive rebounds, creating additional scoring opportunities.

Looking ahead, Utah will face conference opponents in back-to-back road games, aiming to extend their winning streak and maintain momentum for tournament consideration. UCF must address turnover issues and perimeter shooting efficiency to remain competitive in upcoming matchups, particularly against ranked teams in the American Athletic Conference.

Utah’s 67-57 win underscores the team’s balanced scoring, defensive discipline, and effective bench rotations. Ross, Wilke, White, and Evans emerged as leaders on both ends of the floor, positioning the Utes as a formidable contender in the season’s second half.