Jan. 9, 2010

Box Score

OREM, Utah -- Chicago State shot 62.3 percent and ran away from Utah Valley in the first-ever Great West Conference women's basketball game on Saturday at the McKay Center.

The Cougars (6-11, 1-0 GWC) hit a remarkable 70.8 percent (17-for-24) in the opening half including 4-of-5 from the 3-point line. Despite shooting 52.2 percent themselves, the Wolverines (3-14, 0-1 GWC) still trailed 41-26 at the break, not only because of CSU's efficient offense but in large part to 14 turnovers that led to 20 points. UVU gave the ball away 31 times for the game, allowing the Cougars 36 points off turnovers.

Julie Smith scored 24 points to lead the Wolverines while Erika Newbold chipped in 11. Blake Reynolds added eight points while Asumi Nakayama dished out 10 assists but also had 10 of UVU's turnovers.

All five Chicago State starters finished in double figures with Cail Desroches leading a balanced attack with 15 on 7-for-10 shooting. Natalie Marlowe finished with 13 points, Janay Dockery and Courtney Waldon had 12 and Alyssa Waldon added 10. Marlowe had eight assists while Dokery had six as CSU finished with 24 assists for the game. Dockery also had five of her team's 19 steals.

Chicago State hit its first seven shots from the field and 13 of the first 17 overall to run out to a 30-18 lead. The Wolverines whittled the lead back down to nine, 32-23, with 4:30 left in the half before the Cougars capped the half on a 9-2 run.

Utah Valley trailed 52-29 with 14:51 left in the game before 10 straight points got the Wolverines within 13 just over three minutes later. Smith hit a pair of three's and scored eight of the 10 during the run.

Dockery came back with a bucket before Marlowe and Courtney Waldon nailed back-to-back 3-pointers as part of a 10-2 CSU spurt to kill any chance of a UVU comeback.

The all-time series is now tied at three wins apiece with the two teams scheduled to meet again on Jan. 28 in Chicago.

Up next for the Wolverines will be another Great West contest next Thursday, Jan. 14 as they host North Dakota at 4:30 p.m. MT.