OREM, Utah - After giving themselves an opportunity to win late, the Utah Valley State women's basketball team fell 63-56 to Oregon State Saturday evening in Orem. A game that will have to be chalked up as a learning experience for the young Wolverines, it was neck and neck the entire second half before the Beavers made the big plays down the stretch.
"I am very disappointed in that I felt like we had chances to win the game," said Utah Valley State coach Cathy Nixon. "Oregon State stepped it up when they had to."
The biggest play of the game came on an offensive rebound by Oregon State's Casey Nash with just over a minute to go. Nash scored on the rebound and was fouled, giving the Beavers a four-point lead that the Wolverines could not recover from.
Utah Valley State struggled from the field shooting just 31.9% compared to 41.1% by the Beavers, but stayed in the game by shooting 21-25 (84%) from the free throw line and playing aggressive defense.
"I thought our effort defensively was awesome," said Nixon. "We gave ourselves every chance to win that game and if we can just box out and get a rebound and take care of the basketball then we really do have a chance."
Robyn Fairbanks led Utah Valley with 16 points while Miriam Palkki scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Ashley Grimm had seven points and eight rebounds in her first start of the season. In fact, Nixon started four freshman for the first time, and they each contributed in different ways. In addition to Fairbanks and Grimm, Sandy Marvin chipped in 11 and Hollie Beaman dished out six assists.
"They played real well. We've tinkered with the lineup pretty much every game," said Nixon "As a team and individually we're coming into our own. I couldn't be happier with how the freshman overall are contributing."
After winning just six games total a season ago, the win improves Oregon State to 4-1 with their only loss coming at #25 Utah on Thursday.
"I think they are much improved and they really utilize their personnel," said Nixon. "(Mandy) Close and (Kim) Butler are two really good players."
The Wolverines will be off until next Thursday night when they host Idaho at 7:05pm in the McKay Center. They travel Logan on Saturday for their first in-state match of the season at Utah State.
