OREM, Utah--Behind a career high 27 points from junior Rhaiah Spooner-Knight, the Utah Valley University women's basketball team defeated Southern Utah 70-58 on Tuesday night in the UCCU Center.
 
The Wolverines (2-1) snap a nine-game losing streak in the series against in-state foe Southern Utah (0-2). Junior Georgia Agnew had an all-around performance to help pace UVU with 15 points, seven rebounds and 8 assists. Junior Rebecca MaWhinney  also scored nine and Sam Loggins finished with seven.  Sophomore Mariah Seals led the Wolverines on the boards with a team-high eight rebounds. Spooner-Knight also tallied six rebounds on the night.
 
"Every season has a new dynamic and we are still learning how to play together, but it was great to get a win over Southern Utah. They have a great program, but they have had our number for the last couple years, so it was nice to get a W tonight," head coach Cathy Nixon said. "What a phenomenal performance by Rhaiah, 27 points in 25 minutes is unbelievable. Same with Georgia, 15 points and 8 assists, we had a great collective effort tonight."
 
At the start of the second quarter, the Thunderbirds obtained their largest lead of the game with a 10-0 run, (21-11).  The Wolverines answered throughout the second quarter with several 6-0 runs of their own, and a buzzer beating three-pointer from Agnew at the break (37-32) to give UVU a lead they would not relinquish.
 
Utah Valley opened the third quarter with an impressive 14-2 run (54-36), highlighted by an 11-point third quarter from Spooner-Knight.  Southern Utah cut into the Wolverine lead late in the fourth quarter with an 11-3 run (64-57).  The run was halted by a pair of Agnew free-throws. 
 
T-bird Ashleigh Munns led SUU with 16 points and teammate Jessica Richardson went for a double-double, scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds.
 
The victory marks the third of six games in ten days for Utah Valley, who will hit the road to take on foe Boise State on Thursday night at 7 p.m. MT in the Taco Bell Arena. Links to follow the game can be found on WolverineGreen.com.