Whyte, UA women overcome Utah

Published Jan. 18, 2013 10:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Senior Davellyn Whyte posted her third double-double of the season to lead the Arizona women’s basketball team to a 62-58 win over Utah.

Whyte scored 23 points (her 25th consecutive game in double figures), grabbed 10 rebounds, handed out six assists and added six steals. Junior Carissa Crutchfield finished with 11 points for the Wildcats, while sophomore Layana White added eight points and five rebounds.

As a team, UA shot 49 percent (25 for 51) from the field and 100 percent (8 for 8) from the charity stripe, including three clutch free throws in the last 14 seconds by Whyte and White.

In addition, the Wildcats (11-5, 3-2) forced 19 turnovers by a team that averages 12.7 per game and outrebounded the Utes 31-27.

“We battled the entire game,” Arizona head coach Niya Butts said. “They made runs and we were able to stand in there and play defense. Davellyn Whyte was huge for us and Layana White hit big free throws down the stretch.”

Arizona came out strong in the first half, scoring the first four points and taking a seven-point lead early. The Wildcats forced 12 turnovers and shot 60 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes. Whyte led the team with seven points, six rebounds and four assists, while Crutchfield added seven points and three steals.

In the second half, Utah (9-7, 0-5) rallied early to take its first lead at the 14:32 mark. Arizona responded, though, and there were six ties and eight lead changes the rest of the way. The Utes took a 58-57 lead with 30 seconds remaining, but Whyte was fouled on a made basket as the Wildcats took a 60-58 lead with 14.2 seconds left. Utah missed its last three free throws, and White made the last two to seal the win.

Michelle Plouffe led the Utes with 18 points, nine rebounds and five steals.

Arizona will be back in action on Sunday at No. 25 Colorado.