Nov. 21, 2007
Box Score
OREM, Utah - Robyn Fairbanks scored 39 points in a dominant performance as Utah Valley earned a come-from-behind 78-73 overtime win over Seton Hall in a battle of two unbeatens on Wednesday.
Fairbanks scored her team's final nine points in regulation including the game-tying bucket with 45 seconds left. After Shantel Brown gave Seton Hall a 67-65 lead with two free-throws to open the overtime, Fairbanks hit her third three-pointer of the game to give Utah Valley (5-0) its first lead since the 11:19 mark of the first half.
The Wolverines would not trail again against their first Big East opponent in school history.
Utah Valley has now won a school record eight straight games dating back to the 2006-07 season and the 5-0 start is the best start in school history.
"Today was an indication that our program is advancing in the direction we want it to. I'm thrilled with this win," said head coach Cathy Nixon.
Fairbanks was 12-for-17 from the floor, including a perfect 3-for-3 from the three-point line, and shot 12-for-15 from the free-throw line in her second straight 30-plus point effort.
"She carried us in the first half, she carried us in the second half and she carried us in overtime," said Nixon of Fairbanks. "We had to go to her and she produced over and over. This was a test for Robyn because they had players that had size, were quick and strong."
"This is up there," said Fairbanks when asked about where the win ranks in her career. "They're a Big East team...it's pretty awesome."
Julie McMurray had 12 points and a career high 13 rebounds and Sandy Marvin scored all 11 of her points in the second half as UV rebounded from 29% first half shooting to hit 54% in the second half and 40% for the game.
Seton Hall (4-1) had control nearly the entire game after a 12-0 spurt in the first half gave the Pirates a 25-14 lead with 6:59 remaining in the opening frame. They carried a 36-24 lead into the break, the first time Utah Valley has trailed at the half this season.
Marvin and Fairbanks led the Wolverines on a quick 10-3 run to start the second half to get UV within three at 39-36 with 15:53 remaining.
The Pirates quickly pushed the lead back to nine on an Amber Harris jumper less than two minutes later.
Utah Valley again got within three on a Fairbanks three pointer with 10:27 left, but a quick 6-0 Pirate run, capped by a Ebonie Williams four-point play put the lead back at nine, 57-48 with 9:20 remaining.
Asumi Nakayama hit two big three pointers in the second half to keep the Wolverines in the game before Fairbanks took over for the Wolverines.
At the end of regulation, both teams had chances to win the game but both committed turnovers and neither was able to get a shot attempt in the final 45 seconds.
After Fairbanks' go ahead three in overtime, Marvin intercepted a Brown pass and scored and Rebekah Peterson hit two free-throws to put the Wolverines up 72-67 with 1:42 left.
In addition to Peterson's free-throws, Hollie Beaman, Nakayama and Fairbanks all hit two from the line as the Wolverines were a perfect 8-for-8 in the final two minutes.
Williams led three Pirates in double figures with 19 while Noteisha Womak had 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Up next for Utah Valley is an in-state match up at Utah State on Saturday night at 7pm in Logan. The game can be heard live on WolverineGreen.com.
