Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WACO, Texas — Alissa Pili played two minutes in the first half after picking up two quick fouls.
In a highly-contested preseason WNIT game between two top-25 teams at Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas, those two minutes were a game changer.
Baylor built up a 10-point lead with just under four minutes left in the fourth quarter and continued to keep at least a two-possession lead for much of the first half. It was a lead Baylor never gave up as it absorbed punches by Utah and then punched back even harder to claim an 84-77 win.
No. 4 Utah (2-1) finished the game with 18 turnovers, which led to 27 points on the other end for No. 21 Baylor (2-0). Utah also finished 8-of-15 from the free-throw line to limit easy opportunities to keep the game close.
Pili made her presence known immediately when she joined the game to start the second half, and eventually helped orchestra a run where Utah tied up the game 51-51. But Baylor locked in on defense, drew two charges, and used the momentum to build up an 11-point lead.
Still, Pili fought back as Utah continued to target the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year and cut the lead down to as much as 4 points.
But the effort wasn't enough as Baylor continued to attack and forced Utah into foul trouble, including getting Gianna Kneepkens to four fouls with about two minutes left in the third quarter. And when the defense locked up Utah, Baylor hit shots on the other end to build upon its lead.
Pili finished the night with 22 points — all in the second half — on 9-of-11 shooting, while finishing 3-of-6 from the free-throw line in 20 minutes of action. Kneepkens added 18 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
The Bears had four players in double figures, with Sarah Andrews leading the team with 18 points, two rebounds and two assists. Dre'una Edwards added 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.
