The Utah women’s basketball team is still in the game! The Utes have earned a spot in the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament and will face Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Kentucky, on March 19.
This marks the fifth consecutive postseason appearance for the Utes. They have also made it to the NCAA Tournament for the last four years. Head coach Gavin Petersen expressed his excitement, saying, “We’re thrilled to keep this group together and continue playing basketball.”
This will be their 32nd postseason appearance and the second under Petersen. Their last outing in a different tournament was during the 2017-18 season, when they reached the second round of the Women’s NIT after beating UNLV 78-68.
Eastern Kentucky has a solid 24-8 record and finished first in the ASUN conference, though they were upset in the first round of their tournament. This game will be a rematch; the last time these teams faced off was in the 2023-24 season during the Great Alaska Shootout, where Utah won decisively 117-72.
Basketball fans can keep up with the Utes on social media for updates and highlights.
In recent years, postseason tournaments like this have gained significance, not just for the teams, but for the fans and communities involved. The NCAA reports that women’s basketball viewership has soared, with an increase of 23% in the 2023 tournament compared to previous years. This growth speaks to the expanding interest and support for women’s sports overall.
With excitement building, both the team and their supporters are ready for what lies ahead in the tournament!
For more details, you can follow Utah Women’s Basketball on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
