OREM, Utah—Utah Valley University women's basketball opened a two-game Thanksgiving weekend road trip with a 59-49 loss at UC Davis on Wednesday night. Freshman Mariah Seals led Utah Valley with a career high 19 points, sharing game-high scoring honors with UC Davis' Sydnee Fipps.
 
"Seals was really good, she was very consistent and she shot the ball well. It was great to see a freshman step up in the game like that," head coach Cathy Nixon said. "It was a tale of two halves, in the first half we lacked urgency, but in the second half we had a nice run and had some good chances. I was pleased that we bounced back but we need to learn that when we start games well we will have a better chance."
 
The Aggies (3-2) started the game with an 8-2 run, courtesy of two three pointers, one from Fipps and one from Kelsey Harris. Midway through the half, the Aggies led 23-11. Utah Valley (3-3) responded with a 9-0 run, led by Rhaiah Spooner-Knight who scored six points during th spurt. Rebecaa MaWhinney banked a three, Karlee Norris converted on a layup and a jumper by Patrice Toston rounded out the Wolverines' first half scoring. Fipps led UC Davis with 10 in the half, with her team holding a 35-24 advantage at the break.
 
Seven minutes into the second half, Utah Valley used a 15-4 run to get within four, 47-43. Spooner-Knight and MaWhinney both hit jumpers to start the spurt before Seals later capped the run with seven straight for UVU. Fipps came back with a 3-pointer that halted the run and gave Davis the momentum it needed to secure the victory.
 
Karlee Norris grabbed a career high-tying 14 rebound while Spooner-Knight registered 12 points, on 6-of-13 from the field.
 
The Wolverines will stay in the Bay Area over the Thanksgiving break and will play at San Francisco on Saturday at 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT.