The seventh and penultimate game of the 2024 Cayman Islands Classic did not disappoint in Utah’s win over No. 3 Notre Dame 78-67.
In a tale of two halves for the Irish, Notre Dame was able to carry a 37-32 lead into the locker room at halftime behind a strong second quarter after the first garnered very little separation. That would change in the second half when Utah went on a run to take the lead at the 8-minute mark in the third. The Utes would never relinquish the lead the rest of the way.
Keeping Hannah Hidalgo’s production at bay was the key for Utah. The Utes held the superstar Hidalgo to just 16 points and a 35% day shooting. Overall as a team, Utah proved to be the more efficient team edging the Irish in Field goal shooting 45% to 40%, and three-point shooting 37% to 35%. The paint was where most of the damage was done with 28 of the team’s 78 points coming in the paint. Utes were able to remain efficient enough offensively despite being out-rebounded 37-32 in the game.
In terms of individual performances, production was spread out for Utah as a team. Four different players totaled 14 or more points with Gianna Kneepkens leading the way with 16.
G-MONEY with the Take, the Fake and the Make @giannakneepkens
▶️FloCollege
📺https://t.co/X9cyIxl4dG#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/FwrBv6Ofl3— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) November 30, 2024
Utah returns to its home court on December 4 where they take on in-state foe Utah State while Notre Dame looks to regroup in a top 5 showdown against No. 5 Texas in South Bend in the 2024 Women’s ACC/SEC Challenge.
