March 6, 2008

Box Score

EDINBURG, Texas - Utah Valley made a late push but it was too little too late as 33 turnovers did in the Wolverines in a 71-64 loss to Texas-Pan American at the Division I Independent Championships on Friday.

The 33 miscues led to 37 points for the Lady Broncs (11-16), who improved to 10-4 at home and sent Utah Valley (16-10) to its ninth straight road loss.

Julie McMurray tied career highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds and singlehandedly kept UV in it with 14 of the team's 27 halftime points. Utah Valley trailed by only three at the break, 30-27, despite 15 turnovers and just 1-for-13 shooting from the three-point line.

Texas-Pan American quickly built the lead into double digits early in the second half, using a 12-1 run over the first four minutes to take a 42-28 lead.

The lead stretched to as much as 16 before Robyn Fairbanks scored 11 points as part of a 15-5 run to get the Wolverines within four, 58-54, with 4:33 remaining.

McMurray scored a hit a free-throw with 2:51 left to make it a one possession game, 60-57, but Robin Garrett picked up an offensive rebound after a desperation three-point attempt by UTPA and was fouled. Garrett hit 1-of-2 free-throws and the Lady Broncs kept at least a two possession cushion the rest of the way.

Fairbanks finished 23 points, 17 of which came in the second half on 8-of-15 from the field while McMurray hit 9-of-15.

UTPA had four players finish in double figures led by Robin Garrett and Tamara Vaughn's 15 points each.

The Wolverines will face CSU Bakersfield at approximately 4:30pm MT on Friday. Bakersfield, who lost 65-62 to Chicago State earlier in the day, played UV in Orem last Saturday with the Wolverines prevailing 94-82.