Box Score : Cumulative Stats
Orem, Utah- When a team like Utah Valley State is in just its 2nd year of Division I basketball, wins can be hard to come by. That’s why Monday night’s 60-52 overtime loss to Eastern Washington was such a tough one to swallow.
The Wolverines had their chances. After turning a six-point deficit into a three point lead with just under a minute to go, Eastern Washington’s Stephanie Ulmer hit a big three to tie the game at 48.
Utah Valley had the ball with 14 seconds to go, but couldn’t convert sending the game into the extra session. In the overtime Eastern Washington built a three-point lead with 40 seconds left, but the Wolverines couldn’t get any closer and were forced to foul the rest of the way.
“Overall I was really pleased with our effort,” said Utah Valley coach Cathy Nixon. “Every kids from the starters to those off the bench did a great job. Defensively, they really executed our game plan pretty well.”
Katie Wilson led the scoring for Utah Valley with 14 points. She also pulled down seven rebounds. Rebekah Fales led all rebounders with eight on the night, while Jessica Scabby scored six points and grabbed six rebounds.
Courtney Lynn played 43 minutes for coach Cathy Nixon, and turned in an eight point four assist performance and made big plays down the stretch to get the Wolverines back into the game.
Lynn had an assist to Jessica Scabby that gave the Wolverines the lead, and then hit a jumper late in the shot clock to give Utah Valley a three-point lead.
“She’s our heart and soul,” said Nixon. “She made the plays. Thank goodness for her.”
Up next the Wolverines will travel to The Pit to take on the New Mexico Lobos. The Lobos are just outside the Top 25 in the 26th spot and will be a tough task for Utah Valley.
“I love for our kids to get that experience,” said Nixon. “It’s a great chance to go down there and see a town and a program that gets the support that you dream of having.”
Following the game in New Mexico, the Wolverines will have 16 days before they play their next game at Northern Colorado.