BYU secured an 86-74 victory over Utah on Saturday in Salt Lake City, completing a season sweep of the Utes for the first time since 2011. Delaney Gibb led BYU with a career-high performance at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter alone.
Gibb finished with 13-of-21 shooting, including five three-pointers, and contributed five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Her efforts helped BYU maintain its lead despite Utah narrowing the gap early in the fourth quarter.
After leading 56-41 entering the final period, BYU saw its advantage reduced to ten points with just under eight minutes remaining. Gibb responded by scoring nine consecutive points for her team, making three straight three-pointers to restore a 17-point cushion. She added two more threes later in the quarter as Utah continued to challenge.
The rest of BYU’s scoring came from free throws in the closing minutes, where they went 8-for-8 at the line to secure the win.
Sydney Benally scored 13 points while Lara Rohkohl and Olivia Hamlin each added 11 for BYU. Benally and Hamlin both made four field goals and two three-pointers. The freshman backcourt combined for 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Rohkohl was efficient with 4-of-6 shooting for her 11 points and also recorded five rebounds—two offensive—and six blocks.
BYU shot nearly 54 percent from the field and almost 46 percent from beyond the arc, outpacing Utah in both categories. The Cougars collected ten offensive rebounds that led to ten second-chance points and forced sixteen turnovers by Utah which resulted in ten more BYU points.
In game action, Rohkohl opened scoring by assisting Emma Cannon on a three-pointer after grabbing an offensive rebound. Gibb followed with a layup off glass as BYU took an early lead before trading baskets throughout much of the first half.
A key stretch came in the second quarter when BYU held Utah scoreless for nearly five minutes during an eleven-point run that put them ahead by nine. Defensive stops and transition opportunities were critical during this sequence.
Utah managed to cut into BYU’s lead several times but could not overcome Gibb’s hot shooting or consistent free throw accuracy down the stretch.
BYU will next face Arizona State Sun Devils on Wednesday, February 25th at Tempe. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. MT start and will be available via ESPN+ streaming as well as radio broadcasts on BYU Radio platforms.
