Nov. 12, 2010
Updated Preseason WNIT Bracket
Box Score
BROOKINGS, S.D. - Utah Valley drops to the consolation bracket of the Preseason WNIT as it found itself on the wrong end of an 87-38 decision at South Dakota State Friday night. The Jackrabbits (1-0) shot near 60 percent from the floor to the Wolverines (0-1) 27 percent.
"We're a team that is in the learning process," UVU head coach Cathy Nixon said. "We knew coming into the WNIT that we were going to have an inexperienced team and be on the road against a very good team in South Dakota State. Despite the score, this was great for our program. It is great to see basketball being played the way it is supposed to be played and supported like it should be. Obviously we don't feel great about our performance tonight but in the big picture its good for our kids to have this experience."
In the opening half, South Dakota State looked strong early as they started the game a perfect 7-7 from the floor to take an early 17-4 advantage. UVU freshman Kali Roche then checked into the ballgame and scored three quick buckets in the paint to cut the deficit to single-digits at 19-10. From there the teams score stayed pretty close to a 10-point deficit until SDSU went on a 14-0 run to end the opening half up 45-19.
In the opening half, the Jackrabbits finished shooting 66.7 percent from the field, while UVU shot just 23.5 percent. SDSU also shot a hot 6-10 behind the arc to the Wolverines 2-8.
In the second half the Jacks took command of the game as they continued to fire up the 3-ball, converting 11-19 overall. Sophomore Sammie Jensen did all she could to try to help the Wolverines in their comeback efforts scoring a team-high 11 points but it wasn't enough as SDSU wouldn't quit, winning 87-38.
Jensen was also UVU's top-rebounder in the game as she grabbed seven boards. Roche finished second in scoring in the game for the Wolverines with eight points.
SDSU finished with a balanced scoring effort as seven players finished in double-figures. Leading the way for the Jackrabbits was Jill Young, as the guard converted five made three-pointers. Tara Heiser also hit a perfect 4-4 from three-point land for SDSU and finished with 14 points.
The Wolverines will now drop to the consolation bracket in the Preseason WNIT and play two more games next Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and 20, in Beaumont, Texas. On Friday UVU will go up against the host-Lamar at 6 p.m. MT and on Saturday the Wolverines will play either Austin Peay or Valparaiso at either noon or 2 p.m. MT.
Following the conclusion of the Preseason WNIT, UVU will return home to the UCCU Center to play in-state rival Weber State on Nov. 23. The home game with Weber State will start a four-game homestand.
