RICHMOND, Ky. – The historic season continues for Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball, the Colonels upset No. 1 seed Utah, 72-58, in the first round of the 2026 Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT) on Thursday night inside Baptist Health Arena.
 
With the win, the Colonels improve to 25-8 overall, setting a program record for victories in a single season. The victory also marked EKU's second all-time win in a national postseason tournament game and first in a NCAA-sponsored event.
 
EKU advances to the WBIT second round and will travel to face Harvard on Sunday, March 22.
 
Senior forward Vaz led the Colonels with 24 points, shooting 7-for-21 from the field, 3-for-9 from 3-point range, and 7-for-10 from the free throw line. The Cape Verde native added eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Her performance matched the second-highest scoring output of her career and tied her 24-point effort against Arizona on Dec. 10.
 
Freshman guard Woods followed with 16 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting performance. The Ashland, Kentucky native also dished out a team-high five assists and was responsible for 29 of EKU's 72 points through scoring or assists.
 
Sophomore guard Freihofer recorded her 44th career double-figure scoring game with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Junior forward Lindsey narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
EKU shot 42 percent (26-for-62) from the field and knocked down 10 3-pointers. The Colonels forced Utah into 15 turnovers and scored 28 points in the paint.
 
Utah (19-13, 10-8 Big 12) ends its season in Richmond despite being led by leading-scorer Lani White's 19 points. The Utes, who were among the first four teams left out of the NCAA Tournament, spent multiple weeks ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 this season.
 
Utah controlled the opening quarter behind White's hot shooting and strong rebounding. After Woods opened EKU's scoring with a 3-pointer, Utah responded with an 11-2 run to create separation. Vaz, Freihofer, and Ndukwe each scored to keep EKU within striking distance, but Utah closed the quarter with consecutive baskets from Wilke to take a 19-13 lead.
 
The Utes pushed their advantage to as many as 10 in the second quarter behind interior scoring from White and Evans. Lindsey scored early in the period, Angeles added a jumper, and Woods hit a 3-pointer to slow Utah's momentum. Vaz scored the final four EKU points of the half, but a transition basket from Walker and a late Woods layup sent EKU into the locker room trailing 34-29.
 
EKU seized control in the third quarter with a decisive 22-point period. Vaz opened the half with a 3-pointer, Woods added a layup, and Freihofer connected from deep to cut the deficit to one. After Utah answered, Angeles tied the game at 46-46 with a 3-pointer with 2:18 remaining.
 
Freihofer then gave EKU its first lead since the opening quarter on a layup with 1:24 left. Woods added a transition basket and Vaz made a free throw in the closing seconds as EKU outscored Utah 22-12 in the period to take a 51-46 lead into the fourth.
 
EKU maintained control in the final quarter. Vaz scored in transition, Freihofer added another 3-pointer, and Angeles converted two free throws to push the lead to eight. Woods later turned a Utah turnover into points, Lindsey added two interior baskets, and Vaz connected on a late 3-pointer to keep the Utes at bay.
 
Utah cut the deficit to six with just over two minutes remaining, but EKU sealed the victory at the free throw line to secure the 72-58 win.
 
EKU returns to action Sunday, March 22 against Harvard in the WBIT second round. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.