March 9, 2008

Box Score

EDINBURG, Texas - Julie McMurray and Robyn Fairbanks combined for 47 points but Utah Valley dropped its final game of the 2007-08 season, 77-72, to NJIT at the Division I Independent Championship on Saturday.

McMurray had a career-high 26 points while Fairbanks finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds despite playing just 17 minutes due to serious foul trouble. She picked up three fouls in eight minutes in the first half and picked up her fourth just two minutes into the second half.

Ivana Seric had 18 points while Jessica Gerald finished with 16 to lead the Highlanders (10-19), who committed just nine turnovers compared to 23 by the Wolverines. NJIT scored 26 points off of turnovers. The Wolverines finished the season 16-12, their best record in five seasons at the NCAA level.

UV led 12-4 after Rebekah Peterson hit back-to-back jumpers. NJIT chipped away at the lead and eventually tied it at 17 before taking a 31-24 lead late in the half.

An 11-4 Wolverine run tied it at 35 before Adriana Johnson hit a floater to beat the first half clock, sending the Highlanders to a 37-35 lead at the break.

NJIT stretched the lead to as much as 15 after Erika Velez hit a three-pointer with 5:35 to go, putting her team up 67-52.

Fairbanks then led the Wolverines on a 20-8 run with 12 points, capping it on a lay-up with 15 seconds left, but Taiwo Oyelola stepped to the line and hit two free-throws to ice it for NJIT.

Peterson had nine points and three rebounds while Susie Cornejo had two rebounds but did not score as the seniors played their final game for the Wolverines.