Recap : Box Score : Cumulative Stats

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Everyone knows that basketball is a game of runs, and it was one big run by the Utah Utes that doomed the Utah Valley State women’s basketball team. After cutting a 13 point half time deficit to three, the Wolverines surrendered a 13-2 run that they could never recover from, on their way to an 88-66 loss to a good Utah team.

Kaydee Allred led Utah Valley State with 16 points, while Rebekah Fales chipped in 15 for the Wolverines.

All-American candidate Kim Smith of Utah led all scorers with 22 and Deanne Hanchett added 13 points in just 20 minutes of play. Shona Thorburn had the line of the night, just missing a triple double with 9 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

“Experience on their part and inexperience on our part made the difference,” said Utah Valley State coach Cathy Nixon. “Our kids played a respectable game.”

Utah Valley played its third game of the year without senior forward Katie Wilson, who is recovering from a concussion.

Miriam Palkki scored 14 for Utah Valley State and Jessica Scabby added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 8  assists.

In the first half, Utah Valley State had several opportunities to fold, but kept the game close after countering many small runs by Utah.

The run to cut the halftime lead to three was a facilitated by three Miriam Palkki three-pointers and buckets by Scabby and Fales, whose 15 points were a career high for the young freshman.

“Our young kids played well, Rebekah Fales came in and played an excellent game…we played relaxed,” said Nixon. “But we’re like the teeny-tiny baby sister and Utah’s been around a long time.”

With the loss Utah Valley State falls to 1-6 on the season. They will next host Southern Utah in the McKay Center on Saturday night, December 4th at 7:00pm. All students and faculty get in free with their UVSC I.D.