OREM, Utah--Behind five scorers in double-digits, the Utah Valley University women's basketball team knocked off UT Rio Grande Valley 71-57 on Thursday in the PE Building.
 
Nursing a one-point lead 49-48 in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines took off on an 11-0 run to secure the victory.
 
"I was really proud of the way we responded when it got close, we dug our heels in on the defensive end and executed offensively and I feel like when we are aggressive at the basket, winning happens for us," said head coach Cathy Nixon.
 
A pair of Loggins free throws started the run before an Agnew layup and a MaWhinney three-pointer extended the lead to eight. The run was capped by a Blanks jumper and another Agnew layup on a put-back.
 
 
Sam Loggins and Mariah Seals paced the Wolverines with 14 points and five rebounds apiece, while Deijah Blanks helped with 12 points and six rebounds. Rebecca MaWhinney picked up 11 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Georgia Agnew added ten points, led with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Seals also had three steals on the day.
 
For UTRGV, Bernesha Peters led with 26 points and Hildur Kjartansdóttir helped with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The win marks the sixth contest where Utah Valley had four or more scorers in double-digits, and the first contest with five scorers in double-digits this season. The Wolverines shot a solid 47.5 percent from the field and had 48 points in the point.
 
"This was a great collective effort with five kids in double figures. Most importantly, I think today we played with a sense of urgency that we need to have to be successful, regardless of who we play," Nixon said.
 
The Wolverines opened the contest with five straight layups to take a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The Wolverines held the Vaqueros to just a 21.4 shooting percentage and eight points in the first quarter.
 
Following a MaWhinney three pointer, Karlee Norris' offensive output came when she scored six straight points to give Utah Valley a 31-18 lead in the second quarter. Peters laid it in for the Vaqueros before Seals sank a three, with under two minutes before the break. Kjartansdottir laid it in just before the half, and the Wolverines had a 34-22 advantage heading into the second half.
 
In the third quarter, both teams went back and forth until the Vaqueros ran 7-0 to get within five at 45-40. Seals made a last second layup for a 47-40 advantage heading into the fourth.
 
UTRGV opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back Peters three-pointers and the Vaqueros got within one at 49-48 prior to UVU's decisive run.
 
Utah Valley will remain home to host WAC favorite New Mexico State on Saturday evening at 3 p.m. MT.