OREM, Utah - Miriam Palkki scored 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as Utah Valley State used a late 12-0 run to pick up a 60-51 win over Gonzaga Friday night in Orem. The double double was the second in as many games for the senior from Timpview High School, and the second straight win for the Wolverines.
With Gonzaga leading 49-48 with just over four minutes to go, Palkki hit a jumper to put the Utah Valley on top for good. Over the next four minutes Utah Valley ran off 12 straight before the Bulldogs would score again with just :07 seconds to go for the final nine point margin.
"I couldn't be happier for our players," said Utah Valley coach Cathy Nixon. "I thought we stepped up huge the last five minutes of the game. We got huge rebounds and hit our free throws. I'm thrilled for our kids."
The game was tight throughout and saw both teams run off several mini-runs. Gonzaga closed out the first half on an 11-6 run to take 30-25 lead into the break.
After Anne Bailey gave the Bulldogs a seven point to start the second half, the Wolverines used a Sandy Marvin jumper, a Palkki three and a Hollie Beaman fastbreak layup to tie the game.
Utah Valley turned that 7-0 run into a 16-5 run for a 41-37 lead, their biggest lead of the game to that point.
The Zags answered with a 5-0 run of their own to regain the lead at 46-44.
Robyn Fairbanks had 12 points, nine rebounds and four steals for Utah Valley while Hollie Beaman scored 10 points. Stephanie Hawk led all scorers with 19 points for Gonzaga, but was held to just three second half points.
The Wolverines defense held the Zags to just 34% shooting for the game and just 27% in the second half, when they outscored the Bulldogs 35-21.
"Our focus was on defense," said Palkki. "One of our big goals was to hold them under 60 points. We just had to keep fighting to the final buzzer."
Both teams struggled from the three-point line with Utah Valley shooting 2-for-18 (11%) and Gonzaga 2-for-12 (17%).
The win for UV was the second straight over a West Coast Conference opponent after topping Portland on Wednesday. It also avenged an 87-41 loss last year at Gonzaga.
Up next for Utah Valley is an afternoon matchup at Montana State on Monday, January 2nd. They will then return home for two home games, Idaho State on Thursday at 7:05pm and Weber State Saturday at 7:05 in the Activity Center.
