This Week's Action ...
The Wolverines will host two Big Sky schools this week beginning with Idaho State Thursday at 7:05pm in the McKay Center. Saturday they will play their final in-state matchup of the season against Weber State in the Activity Center also at 7:05pm.
Utah Valley is coming off of a loss at Montana State on Monday, but preceded that game with consecutive wins over Portland and Gonzaga.
Robyn Fairbanks leads the team in both scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (8.3 rpg) and has scored in double figures in all but three games. She is averagins 20.7 points and 12.3 rebounds during the last three games in which the Wolverines have gone 2-1.
Wolverines Sweep Independent Awards ...
The Utah Valley State women's basketball team swept this week's Division-I Independent Awards after senior Miriam Palkki was named Player of the Week and freshman Robyn Fairbanks was named Newcomer of the Week.
It's the first time a Wolverine has ever won the Player of the Week and the second consecutive week that Fairbanks has received the honor.
Palkki picked up two "double-doubles" last week in wins over Portland and Gonzaga, averaging 18 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. She also had four assists in the Utah Valley win over Gonzaga. She is currently second on the team with a 12.2 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Fairbanks averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds last week, including a 24 point 13 rebound performance against Portland. She also picked up four steals in the win over Gonzaga. She leads the team in scoring and rebounding at 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Last Time Out ...
The Montana State women's basketball team used a 15-2 run midway through the first half to break open a close game and hold off Utah Valley State for a 92-84 win Monday in Bozeman, Montana.
That run, combined with 20 first half Wolverine turnovers and some hot Montana State shooting was too much for UV to overcome as the Bobcats picked up their first win of the season after starting 0-11.
"They outplayed us and deserved to win," said Utah Valley coach Cathy Nixon. "We need to learn how to play on the road with the commitment to defense that it takes."
Montana State shot 71% (20-for-28) in the second half, not allowing the Wolverines back into the game. For the game the Bobcats shot 57% compared to 40% for Utah Valley.
Hollie Beaman nearly single-handedly got Utah Valley back into the contest in the second half, scoring 19 of her career high 23 points in the half. Robyn Fairbanks also set a new career high with 26 points as all four Wolverine freshmen starters scored in double figures. Ashley Grimm set a career high with 11 points while Sandy Marvin also chipped in 11.
Fairbanks had a double double with 15 rebounds to go along with her 26 points as Utah Valley State out-rebounded the Bobcats 46-33.
Montana State junior Scotta Morton was too much for the Wolverines as she scored 28 points while five Bobcats scored in double figures for the game. Mountain View High School graduate Nubia Garcia scored 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting for MSU.
Scouting the Opposition ...
Idaho State is 5-7 coming off of a loss to South Dakota State on Monday in Pocatello. The Bengals are winless on the road, but have only played two contests against another school on their floor. They played three times in the Rainbow Wahine Classic in November.
They are led in scoring by Andrea Lightfoot, who averages 17.4 points per game. The Bengals have five players who average double figures in scoring.
Weber State is 5-6 after falling to Boise State, 62-55, on New Year's Eve. They travel to Northern Colorado for a game on Wednesday, January 4th.
The Wildcats are led by Sara Tuomi's 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Up Next ...
The Wolverines will host Portland State next Tuesday in the McKay Center.
