OREM, Utah - After dominating the first half, Utah Valley State struggled in the second frame losing to Weber State, 65-57 at the Activities Center.
The loss ends the Wolverines three-game home winning streak and drops their overall record to 5-10. The Wildcats improved to 7-7 with the victory.
Utah Valley State head coach Cathy Nixon said poor shooting cost the Wolverines.
"There are just games when your shots don't go in," she said. " Weber State tried to take away our inside game in the second half. When that happens someone else needed to step up for us and it just didn't happen."
After Robyn Fairbanks nailed an early three, Weber State went on a 13-2 lead to jump out to an early lead. The Wildcats got eight points from Laura Porter in the first 5:22 including two three pointers.
Utah Valley calmed down and countered with a 6-2 run to narrow the deficit to 15-11 with 11:18 remaining in the first half. One minute later, the Wolverines tied the score at 15 when Rebekah Peterson followed a missed layup with a left-handed hook shot.
The Utah Valley run continued with the Wolverines going 14-2 over a five-minute span. Sandy Marvin's hustle helped propel the run that put Utah Valley State ahead 27-20 with 3:30 remaining in the first half. Marvin picked up three offensive rebounds and scored five points over the run.
The Wolverines went into the break outscoring Weber State 26-7 over the final 12 minutes of the half. Despite a slow start, Utah Valley managed to stiffen defensively, holding Weber State to 29.6 percent shooting in the first half while forcing nine turnovers.
The Wildcats started the second half on a 12-1 run, regaining a 34-32 lead with 15 minutes remaining in the game. The Wolverines struggled shooting and with turnovers to start the second half.
Weber State kept the defensive pressure on Utah Valley throughout the second half. The Wolverines didn't their first field goal of the half until there was 7:33 remaining in the game when Marvin beat her defender to the baseline and scored the layup. Despite missing its first 15 shots of the second half, Utah Valley State stayed closed thanks to stifling defense and poor ball control by the Wildcats.
With the Wolverines only down six, Porter hit a three with 2:20 remaining in the game to give Weber State a 56-47 lead. The trey proved decisive as Utah Valley never came within six points as the Wildcats made their foul shots down the stretch.
Fairbanks led the Wolverines with 22 points and 11 rebounds. It is the third straight game that Fairbanks has recorded a double double. Marvin added 11 for Utah Valley State.
Utah Valley State will continue its home stand when it welcomes Portland State Tuesday at 7:05.
