Orem, Utah - Robyn Fairbanks scored a career-high 33 points to go along with 14 rebounds as Utah Valley State capped off a perfect Thanksgiving weekend with a 79-72 win over New Mexico State on Saturday.
"Robyn is a special player. She's so versatile offensively and has unbelievable hands," said UV head coach Cathy Nixon. "I certainly wouldn't want to have to coach against her and try to develop a defensive game plan to stop her."
After winning by a combined 58 points in their first two games this week, the Wolverines had to come from behind to beat the Aggies. UV trailed by eight, 59-51, at the 12:29 mark but from there New Mexico State struggled to find the bucket.
Fairbanks scored and was fouled to cut the lead to 59-54, followed by a Rebekah Peterson jumper to cut it to three. After the teams traded baskets, Fairbanks cut it to two at 62-60 with 8:56 to go.
The score stayed that way until Peterson hit the biggest shot of the game, a three pointer from the corner with 4:14 left in the game to give Utah Valley its first lead since late in the first half.
"It seemed like it was 62-60 forever," said Fairbanks. "Then Rebekah put us ahead and from it felt like that's what turned us around."
Fairbanks then scored three consecutive buckets followed by a three from Hollie Beaman to cap a 21-5 run that put the Wolverines up 72-64.
New Mexico State got back within three after Sherell Neal scored two of her team high 24 points with 39 seconds left. But Sandy Marvin hit six free throws over the final 20 seconds to help hold off the Aggies.
"That's a game that could build some things for us," said Nixon. "We struggled with some things but really clamped down when we needed to. It was a battle."
Marvin had 18 points and five assists while Nakayama set a school record with 11 assists along with four steals. Beaman had 10 of her 12 points in the second half and Peterson added eight points and six rebounds for Utah Valley.
Neal had a double double with 11 rebounds to go along with her 24 points. Anikia Jawara also had a double double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
In a tight first half, Utah Valley held a three point lead at 36-33 with just over two minutes remaining when Nikki Holt hit two jumpers and Cecilia Russell-Nava hit two three pointers as part of a 10-2 NMSU run to close out the half.
Statistically the game was very even with both team finishing with 40 total rebounds and neither team leading by more than eight points. Both teams also hit 27 field goals and seven three pointers, but Utah Valley hit 48% for the game compared to 38% for the Aggies. The free throws were also even until the final 30 seconds of the game when NMSU was forced to foul, sending the Wolverines to the line eight times.
The 5-1 start for Utah Valley improves on the school's best start in its short NCAA history. They will face two tough contest next week beginning with Boise State, a team they are 0-3 against all-time, next Wednesday night in Orem. The Wolverines will then play their first road game of the season on Saturday, at 2005-06 NIT team Idaho State, in Pocatello.
