OREM, Utah – The Utah Valley State womens basketball team fought through a poor night offensively and earned a 56-43 win over Grand Canyon on Saturday at the McKay Center. For the game Utah Valley State shot 28 percent from the field. The win ups the Wolverines record to 8-13 while Grand Canyon dropped to 4-18.
  
The good thing for Utah Valley was that Grand Canyon didnt shoot any better. The Lopes connected on only 13 of 53 shots for 25 percent.
  
"I dont know if it counts as a defensive battle when you just cant find the bottom of the basket," Utah Valley State coach Cathy Nixon said. "Obviously we had a hard time scoring. I was proud of the way the kids battled. I thought we were getting good shots."
  
Hollie Beaman led Utah Valley in scoring with 11 points. She also grabbed seven rebounds. Miriam Palkki added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
  
Kaydee Allred provided a spark for the Wolverines off the bench scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds in 22 minutes of work.
  
Trailing 31-23 three minutes into the second half, the Wolverines went on a 12-3 run to take their first lead of the half at 35-34 following two free throws by Veva Whitear with 11:07 left in the game.     
    
Utah Valley extended its lead to 39-34 foll owing a basket by Palkki four minutes later. The Wolverines later led 51-41 following an Allred 3-pointer.
   
Their biggest lead of the game was 13 points.
 
The first half was not pretty for Utah Valley State or Grand Canyon as both teams shot 20 percent from the field. Grand Canyon led 19-17 at halftime.

Their were seven lead changes and seven ties in the first half.
  
It was nt pretty by any means, Nixon said. It put pressure on us defensively but I thought we responded well. We got good contributions off the bench tonight.
  
Utah Valley State returns to action on next Saturday when they play at Northern Colorado.