OREM, Utah—Behind a 7-for-10 night from beyond the arc, Utah Valley University women's basketball knocked off current Mountain West Conference leader Boise State, 68-60, on Saturday afternoon in the PE Building.
 
With the game tied 44-44 with 11:20 to go, Rebecca MaWhinney knocked down one of her four 3-pointers on the day to give the Wolverines (4-5) the lead for good. Rhaiah Spooner-Knight led all scorers with 19 points and eight rebounds while MaWhinney finished with 14 points and finished with a game-high nine boards.
 
"I really challenged the girls after Tuesday to come in and just work and play for each other and it was really good to see a winning result," head coach Cathy Nixon said.
 
Down four at halftime, the Wolverines opened the second half on a 14-4 run highlighted by 3-pointers from Mariah Seals and Taylor Gordon to give the Wolverines a 42-36 lead. Boise State's (5-3) Deanna Weaver and Brooke Pahukoa each delivered a three to tie the score at 44 before MaWhinney's go-ahead trey.
 
With UVU holding a 47-46 lead, a Karlee Norris layup began a stretch of eight of the next nine points on the home side of the scoreboard. Spooner-Knight scored five during the run, which was capped by a Sam Loggins put-back and free throw to give the Wolverines a 56-47 lead.
 
The Broncos responded with a three from Shaw and a layup from Miquelle Askew to cut the deficit to four, but BSU would get no closer. Spooner-Knight chipped in her first career three to lengthen the Wolverine lead to eight at the final media time out. 

UVU limited Boise State to just 31.8 percent shooting including 24.1 percent (7-for-29) from beyond the arc. Utah Valley shot 39 percent overall. Spooner-Knight helped limit Weaver, BSU's leading scorer, to 12 points after a 28-point effort at Idaho State on Thursday night. Askew finished with 18 points for the Broncos. For the Wolverines, Seals also chipped in 10 points, her fourth of five games scoring in double figures. Utah Valley's win ended a five-game losing streak in the series against the Broncos.
 
In the first half, Utah Valley led early 11-3 with two three-pointers from MaWhinney, but the Broncos used an 11-2 run to take a 14-13 lead midway through the first half. MaWhinney hit her third 3-pointer of the half to put the Wolverines back in front. Shalen Shaw tied the game with a layup and Deanna Weaver knocked down a 3-pointer to give Boise State a 19-16 lead, which was stretched to 32-28 at the half.

Utah Valley will continue to play at home, hosting Air Force Academy on Thursday night in the UCCU Center at 7 p.m. MT.