Jan. 29, 2011
Box Score
OREM, Utah - The Utah Valley University women's basketball team came up just short Saturday evening at the UCCU Center against conference rival NJIT losing a 55-52 decision.
The game came right down to the wire as with two minutes remaining UVU (2-18, 0-5 GWC) found itself all knotted up at 47 apiece after two made free throws from junior Abbie Beutler. NJIT's (6-12, 3-1 GWC) Jessica Gerald would then score back-to-back buckets to give the Highlanders a five-point lead with 42 seconds to play.
The Wolverines had a chance pulling within three with nine seconds left, but the comeback fell just short, as the Highlanders were able to hit their free throws and come away with the three point win.
"We did a lot better job taking care of the basketball and gave ourselves a chance to win," UVU head coach Cathy Nixon said. "The statistics were so even in this game all the way across the board. I feel like our game plan went well and that our kids worked hard. I'm heartbroken for our kids that it didn't translate to a win."
The Wolverines started the game with a balanced attack matching the Highlanders basket for basket from four different UVU players resulting in a one-point deficit and an 11-10 score at the 12:30 mark of the first half.
Sophomore Kaycee Mansfield put UVU ahead with a driving layup with 7:20 on the clock, giving the Wolverines their first lead since her opening basket right off the tip.
NJIT proceeded to retake control of the game with an 11-2 run but the Wolverines managed to match it with a 7-2 run of their own thanks to six of junior Jenna Johnson's ten first half points and strong defense from freshman Kali Roche. Roche also pulled down five first half rebounds and added two blocks as UVU trailed just 30-27 at the break.
Both teams would open up the second half exchanging baskets until Johnson's layup at the 14:45 mark gave UVU back the lead. A jumper from Beutler and a baseline 3-pointer from Johnson gave the Wolverines a 40-36 advantage.
UVU then lead 45-41 following a jumper from sophomore Sammie Jensen with 10 minutes to play but NJIT then enjoyed an 11-2 spurt down the stretch to pull ahead and pick up the victory.
Rayven Johnson paced the Highlanders with 21 points, while Gerald added 11.
Johnson and Beutler led the Wolverines with 15 and 13 points, while Roche recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards. Roach also added three blocks coming off the bench for freshman Kim Bell who sustained an ankle injury midway through the first half and was sidelined a majority of the game.
As a team UVU recorded a season low in turnovers, committing just 11 and did a good job on the glass pulling down 44 rebounds.
The Wolverines will return to the court next week for two key road conference games at Texas-Pan American and Houston Baptist on Feb. 3 and Feb. 5. The Wolverines next home game will be on Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. for a rematch against UTPA.
