Maty Wilke’s halfcourt buzzer-beater seals Utah-BYU thriller and adds another dramatic moment to the rivalry

After the Cougars fought back and had two chances to win, the Utes triumphed on Wilke’s improbable halfcourt shot.

Maty Wilke created her own March Madness moment on the first day of the month — and etched her name into the BYU-Utah rivalry history.

Wilke sunk the game-winning shot from halfcourt as the buzzer sounded Saturday afternoon at the Huntsman Center, securing a stunning 76-73 overtime victory for the Utes over their rivals.

Teammate Kennady McQueen mentioned that the Utes practice hitting a halfcourt shot during shootarounds on game day, “so lowkey, we practiced it.”

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“As soon as it left her hands, I said that’s on line,” McQueen recalled, “and then it went in — just screaming, and it was awesome. Tackled her. It was awesome. What a fantastic ending.”

Initially, it seemed like the Utes would dominate the rivalry clash, as they jumped to a 17-3 lead. But credit BYU and freshman Delaney Gibb, who led the Cougars’ comeback effort and almost secured the upset.

At the end of both regulation and overtime, the Cougars had possession and a chance to win. With 18.6 seconds left in the extra period, following two Gianna Kneepkens free throws that tied the game at 73-73, BYU inbounded the ball.

BYU turned to its star, Gibb, who drove into the lane but lost the ball with under five seconds left.

At that moment, it seemed like a second overtime was coming. Utah head coach Gavin Petersen believed that’s where the game was headed.

Wilke had different ideas.

She grabbed the ball in the paint after Gibb’s turnover with just over three seconds remaining, raced upcourt, and launched a shot from the center of the Utah logo at midcourt.

Bank.

Swish.

Game.

“I mean, you don’t usually see a halfcourt shot go up and think, ‘Oh yeah, that’s in,’” said teammate Jenna Johnson. “But it looked good, so seeing it bank in was awesome, and it was just an exciting moment.”

Despite it being Senior Day at Utah, Wilke, a junior, made the signature shot of her career — and one of the most memorable in Huntsman Center history.

“I thought we were headed to another overtime, but when it left her hand, I thought, ‘That’s got a chance,’ and then it went in. It sucks to lose that way,” Petersen admitted. “I just shook my head at BYU’s Amber Whiting, like, sometimes that’s how it goes.

“But both teams fought hard. I’m just glad that ball went in, though I would’ve preferred to win in double overtime.”

BYU (13-16, 4-14 Big 12), which only led for a minute total during Saturday’s game, kept answering every Utah run. With 4:25 left in regulation, the Utes were ahead 57-48, seemingly in control.

But Gibb, who scored a career-high 36 points, hit back-to-back 3-pointers, and the Utes went scoreless for over three minutes. Former Ute Kemery Congdon then nailed a 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down, tying the game at 57-57.

After a timeout, Gibb stole the inbounds pass and scored on a fastbreak layup, giving BYU a 59-57 lead — their first of the game.

That lead didn’t last long.

Maye Toure answered with two free throws to tie it, but Gibb quickly found Lauren Davenport for a 3-pointer with 22.3 seconds left, putting the Cougars up 62-59.

Enter Kneepkens, Utah’s usual hero.

Despite struggling with her shooting, Kneepkens nailed a 3-pointer off a screen just five seconds later, tying the game again.

BYU had one more chance to win in regulation, but Gibb’s drive led to a kick-out to Congdon, whose 3-point attempt airballed, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, neither team led by more than two points until Wilke’s dramatic winner.

Gibb, however, came up clutch again, hitting a jumper with 35.7 seconds left in overtime to give the Cougars a 73-71 lead.

BYU could’ve extended its advantage after Wilke missed a 3-pointer on the next possession, but Johnson secured a crucial offensive rebound.