Dec. 20, 2010
Box Score
OREM, Utah - Utah Valley's women's basketball did all it could to overcome a late double-digit deficit to Boise State Monday afternoon but was ultimately defeated 80-71 at the UCCU Center.
"Honestly, I feel like we are getting better," said UVU head coach Cathy Nixon. "Hopefully they are learning the process and that's what we just keep trying to emphasize. Inexperienced players tend to be outcome oriented and we just have to really focus on the process."
The Wolverines (1-10) kept things close early and cut a three point Boise State (8-4) lead down to one when junior Jenna Johnson made a great move to the basket for a layup with 8:27 left in the first half. Using a 20-11 run over the rest of the half and a three-pointer at the buzzer, the Broncos took a 34-24 lead into the break.
Freshman Kali Roche led UVU in the first half with six points and two rebounds while sophomore Sammie Jensen pulled down six rebounds and added four points. After starting out 0-5 from the three-point line, Boise State made its next three three-point shots to end the half.
The second half started much like the first one ended. In the first minute and thirty seconds the Broncos went on a 7-0 run before a Nixon timeout. The short break did some good for the Wolverines who went on an 11-4 run to cut the Boise State lead to 45-35 with 15:15 left on the clock.
UVU was able to cut the deficit down to single-digits with 11:37 left in the game after sophomore Kaycee Mansfield was fouled driving to the hoop and hit the ensuing free throws.
Although the Wolverines got the score to 74-66 with 47 seconds left, they could not cut the lead down any more as the Broncos won the game 80-71.
Jensen ended the game with a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds. She shot 7-14 from the field and 3-6 from beyond the arc. Johnson tallied 16 points and five rebounds and freshman Whitney Jenkins also scored in double figures with 10 points.
Kati Isham paced the Broncos in the game with 28 points.
"Any time you are starting two freshmen, two transfers and a sophomore that didn't play much there is going to be a learning curve," added Nixon. "Hopefully we can get consistent and for the full game."
UVU will finish out the month of December at the Lady Griz Holiday Classic in Missoula, Mont. Its first opponent will be the host, Montana Grizzlies, on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. MT. The Wolverines will play their second game the next day at 5 p.m. versus Texas A&M Corpus Christi. UVU will round out the holiday break with a home game against Montana State on New Year's Day at 3 p.m.
