POCATELLO, Idaho— After leading for nearly the entire game, the Utah Valley University women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 68-67 loss to Idaho State on Saturday afternoon in Reed Gym.
The Wolverines (5-6) led by three points, 67-64, with just under two minutes remaining, but the Bengals (3-6) scored the games' final four points from the charity stripe to secure the win.
With eight seconds to play, Megan Hochstein hit the game tying and go-ahead free throws to give Idaho State the win. Utah Valley never trailed in the game until Hochstein hit her go-ahead free throws in the final seconds. UVU's
Mariah Seals attempted a game winner that lipped off the rim as time expired.
Seals led all scorers with 19 points and hit 3-for-6 shots from beyond the arc. Seals also set a career record with a game-high five steals and continues her streak of four consecutive games of double digit scoring.
Rhaiah Spooner-Knight finished with 18 points while
Karlee Norris added nine points and a team-high six rebounds.
Sam Loggins chipped in nine points as well. Utah Valley shot 46.3 percent from the field, its fourth game over 45 percent this season.
Utah Valley got off to a quick start, scoring the game's first eight points, en route to a 16-2 run, led by Spooner-Knight who contributed six points during the spurt. The Bengals chipped away at the deficit, and closed the first half with an 8-0 run to bring the score as close as 29-26 in Wolverine favor.
In the second half, UVU once again scored 11 straight to take a 40-26 lead to match the biggest advantage of the game. Idaho State then closed within five at 56-51 with 5:54 to go before Seals hit a three to push the lead back up to eight. Idaho State responded with 10-3 run to make it a one-point contest with 2:57 left, the closest the Bengals had been since the opening minute.
After two Norris free throws, Seals knocked down another big three to give UVU a 67-61 lead with 2:02 to go. Idaho State's Grace Kenyon answered with her own three on the next possession. Sherise Porchia hit two free throws with 58 seconds left to one again make it a one-point game.
The Wolverines will next travel to Montana to compete in the 34th Annual Lady Griz Classic hosted by Montana on Dec. 19-21.
