POCATELLO, Idaho – Utah Valley University got career-highs from Sophia Jacobsson and Josie Williams but couldn't overcome a hot-shooting night from Idaho State in an 80-68 loss at Reed Gym on Thursday.
 
Jacobsson scored 17 and Williams had 15 for the Wolverines (4-5), but the Bengals (4-4) made 66 percent of their shots (33-for-50) and got a combined 49 points from Sai Tapasa (25) and Saylair Grandon (24). ISU scored 46 of its points in the paint.
 
"This time of year, you've got to be learning and with our young team you have to learn how to be competitive on the road. I thought we improved in multiple areas from our last two road games but give credit to Idaho State, they shot the ball really well," said UVU head coach Cathy Nixon. "I do think there are some bright spots, but we need to be better."
 
The Wolverines got to the line 26 times on the night, hitting 23 (88.5 percent) with Jacobsson, Alexis Cortez -- who had 10 points -- and Madison Grange combining to hit 14-of-14. Williams was 4-for-6 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line.
 
"For Josie, a big part is learning the physicality of the game. You can see if we get her the ball in the scoring area, she can be tough to stop. I thought she showed some grit tonight against some big, physical kids," Nixon said.
 
Tapasa's 25-point night came on 11-for-17 from the field while Grandon went 8-for-10 including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Grace Kenyon finished with 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting.
 
The Bengals hitting a scorching 9-of-13 to take a 23-20 lead after one quarter. Jacobsson led UVU with six points in the quarter while Tapasa had eight for ISU.
 
In the second, Gabrielle Leos knocked down a corner three to get UVU within five, 34-29, but the Bengals closed out the half on a 9-0 run to lead 43-29 at the break. Leos led UVU at the half with nine while Grandon had 14 and Tapasa 12.
 
The Wolverines trailed by 15 midway through the fourth before a 6-0 run served as their last attempt to try and get back into the game. Eve Braslis hit a pair of shots during the run with her bucket with 4:24 left making it a 73-64 game. Estefania Ors answered with a 3-pointer for Idaho State – one of eight made treys by the Bengals on the night – and the lead remained in double figures the rest of the way.
 
The Wolverines will be off until next Saturday, Dec. 15 as they prepare for finals next week. UVU will close out their four-game road swing at Utah State that afternoon at 2 p.m. MT.