Utah Women's Basketball Beats Eastern Washington 76-67
Lena Girardi scored 19 points as Utah edged Eastern Washington in its home opener at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball
The Utah women's basketball team defeated Eastern Washington 76-67 on Tuesday, November 3. Lena Girardi led the Utes with 19 points, eight rebounds, and one assist in 31 minutes.
Why it matters
The win gives Utah an early-season result as it works to build depth around its newcomers. Head coach Gavin Petersen said underclassmen earned their minutes through consistent practice performance since joining the program in June.
Girardi went 2 of 4 from the field and 2 of 3 from three-point range in the fourth quarter, while Peyton Jones added 17 points for Utah. Utah's 18 turnovers and the 76-67 margin are the only team totals provided, with no season-long comparison available in the source.
The players
Lena Girardi
Lena Girardi is a Utah women's basketball guard who led the team in scoring with 19 points in the win over Eastern Washington.
Gavin Petersen
Gavin Petersen is the head coach of the Utah women's basketball team, who has emphasized earning playing time through consistent practice performance.
The details
Girardi and true freshman Rylee Little started for Utah, while Evie Otto, Peyton Jones, and Ella Todd came off the bench. Utah will review film of the game on Thursday, November 5 before hosting Colorado State on Friday, November 6 at 5 pm.
Timeline
June 2026: Newcomers joined the Utah program.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Utah defeated Eastern Washington 76-67.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Utah reviews film of the game.
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 5 pm: Utah hosts Colorado State at the Huntsman Center.
Season Trajectory
The Utah win is an early-season result in the NCAA Division I women's basketball calendar, where non-conference home openers like this one set the initial standing before conference play. Utah's continued reliance on underclassmen and newcomers makes the Colorado State matchup a near-term test of whether that depth can sustain performance.
Fantasy and roster watchers should note Girardi's 19-point, eight-rebound effort, along with Peyton Jones's 17 points as a second scoring option. The Colorado State game on Friday gives the team its next chance to show whether its bench contributions can hold up.
The takeaway
Early playing time for newcomers depends on consistent effort in practice, a theme Utah's coaching staff has emphasized since the June arrivals. Readers following the program can track whether that approach holds as the Colorado State game approaches.
What happens next
Utah will review film of the Eastern Washington game on Thursday, November 5 and host Colorado State at the Huntsman Center on Friday, November 6 at 5 pm.
Further reading
Follow more Salt Lake City basketball coverage for context on the Utes' early-season run.
