OREM, Utah - Utah Valley State freshman Robyn Fairbanks made quite the Division-I debut by with 21 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks, but Jacksonville State ruined her party by outscoring the Wolverines by 16 points in the second half and winning 84-77 in the season opener for both teams.
Fairbanks had 15 points and 11 rebounds at the half, but in the second the Gamecocks stepped up their defense, allowing the Canadian to just three field goal attempts during the final 20 minutes of play.
"They took away our aggression...and we turned the ball over 26 times and we gave up 26 offensive rebounds," said Utah Valley head coach Cathy Nixon. "We're putting ourselves in a pretty tough situation. But if we can learn from it and continue to progress we'll be a better team."
Rebecca Haynes had a big game of her own for Jacksonville State. Haynes scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while shooting 7-11 from the floor. She also added four assists, three blocks and three steals.
Jacksonville State had an abysmal time from beyond the arc in the first half, going just 1-15. But in the decisive second half the Gamecocks were 5-11 from the three-point line, including 3-4 from Haynes.
Freshman Sandy Marvin had 12 of her 14 points in the 2nd half, all on three-pointers, but the Gamecocks' experience wore down the Wolverines in the end.
"Any time you play as many freshman as we did in their first Division-I game there's going to be some ups and downs," said Utah Valley State coach Cathy Nixon. "I thought there were some good moments. But we have to learn from this game so that we're better the next time."
Rebekah Fales was the other Wolverine in double figures with 10 points, while Jacksonville State had three others in double figures including Courtney Slaughter's 16 and Katja Fuess' 14 points.
Both teams struggled on the defensive boards as Utah Valley allowed 26 offensive rebounds and the Gamecocks allowed 24. The Wolverines won the overall rebound battle 55-52.
Utah Valley State will play twice next week, they host Air Force on Wednesday the 23rd and then welcome Fresno State Saturday. Both games will begin at 7:05pm.
