SEATTLE--Behind a 20-point performance from Rebecca MaWhinney, the Utah Valley University women's basketball team defeated Seattle U 61-44 on Thursday evening in the Connolly Center.
 
MaWhinney shot 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, and grabbed seven boards, five steals, and three assists on the night. Senior Sam Loggins contributed 15 points on the night, while junior Karlee Norris also picked up ten points. The Wolverines (10-11, 3-3) held all Redhawks (9-12, 3-3) to single-digit figures and just 28.8 percent from the field.
 
Ross led the Redhawks with just seven points and seven rebounds, while Kaylee Best and Shaylin Heredia each scored eight points.
 
"We are so excited. We talked to the girls this week and told them that we had an opportunity to pick up some impact wins this weekend. Seattle is a very good team, as good as anyone in the league. I am proud of our collective effort tonight, defensively this is the best game we have played this year," head coach Cathy Nixon said. "Seattle shoots the ball very well, and we were able to shut down those shooters. If we did not defend the three-point line tonight, we would not have been in the game. Our defensive effort was phenomenal.
 
"MaWhinney had a great contribution tonight, her whole line was outstanding: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and five steals, what more could you ask for? Karlee gave us quality minutes tonight, and we were able to go to Sam Loggins consistently. She was great on both ends of the court. Sam had the tough assignment of defending Taelor Ross who, in my opinion, is one of the best post players in the league. Sam is proving to be a presence in the key. We are so excited, this is step one in the road trip, and we will turn it around and be better for Saturday."
 
Utah Valley jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, and maintained the lead through the period, heading into the second quarter with a 13-9 advantage.
 
Seattle U tied things up at 15-15 in the second quarter while Utah Valley had nearly four scoreless minutes. Utah Valley led at 19-17 when Sahar knocked down a three to take the first Redhawk lead of the night at 20-19. The advantage didn't last long as Blanks knocked down a jumper to regain a Wolverine lead 21-20.  Seals laid it in on a fastbreak to take a 23-20 lead, and Utah Valley held the lead through the quarter, going into the third with a 26-23 lead.
 
In the third quarter, Rebecca MaWhinney knocked down a three and a free throw, to kick off an 8-0 run and a UVU lead at 34-23. Later on, MaWhinney hit another trey to help the Wolverines lead 43-31. Toston hit a jumper while Seattle U's Best hit a jumper and and Utah Valley led 45-33 heading to the fourth.

MaWhinney kicked off the fourth quarter with two more three's, sandwiched by a Norris jumper, combining for an 8-0 run to lead by 20 (53-33).  SU's Sahar and Best each knocked down a jumper, and MaWhinney hit a pair of free throws before Best scored from beyond the arc (57-40). Both the Wolverines and the Redhawks hit two more baskets before the buzzer and Utah Valley defeated Seattle U 61-44.
 
Utah Valley will travel to Bakersfield, California to see CSU Bakersfield on Saturday Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. MT in the Icardo Center.