OREM, Utah – Four players scored in double figures as Utah Valley University opened WAC play with a 57-46 win over Grand Canyon University on Thursday night in the UCCU Center.
 
Eva Braslis led the way with 15 points, Madison Grange scored a career-high 12 and Jordan Holland and Alexis Cortez added 11 points apiece. Braslis also grabbed nine rebounds for the Wolverines (7-7, 1-0).
 
"It was a really good team defensive effort. We had a lot of kids contribute tonight and it feels good to get a win," said head Cathy Nixon. "I'm optimistic about this team and the young players that are showing confidence and ability on the court. Every game has a different personality. Some of them are just kind of a grind-out defensive battle like tonight but I'll take it however we can get it."
 
UVU hit 51.2 percent (22-43) from the field on the night while limiting the Lopes (2-9, 0-1) to just 32.7 percent (18-55). AJ Cephas scored 11 points to lead Grand Canyon.
 
The first quarter went back-and-forth with the lead changing hands seven times to go along with five ties. The Lopes led 16-15 after one.
 
The Wolverines limited GCU to just five points in the second quarter to take a 25-21 lead at the half. The game was tied at 19-19 after Laura Piera hit a three for Grand Canyon, and the Lopes took a 21-20 lead with 3:55 left until on a ShaRon Miller layup. Utah Valley got the last five points in the half, on a Grange 3-pointer and a Braslis running hook with 36 seconds left.
 
UVU began the third quarter with six straight, extending its run to 11-0 dating back to the second quarter. Maria Carvalho, Grange and Cortez each hit field goals during the run that put the Wolverines in front 31-21. Utah Valley led 37-29 after three.
 
Grand Canyon trimmed the score to five, 38-33, early in the fourth but Utah Valley responded with a 6-0 run. Grange hit a corner three before Holland scored on consecutive driving layups to make it a 44-33 game.
 
The lead was whittled down to six, but the Wolverines stretched it back to 12, 50-38, with 2:35 to go. UVU went 8-for-10 from the field in the final quarter including makes on five of the last six attempts.

Carvalho finished with eight points and five assists while Cortez recorded five steals. Utah Valley improved to 7-2 at home on the season and will host CSU Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. MT in Lockhart Arena. The Roadrunners won at Seattle U in their WAC opener, 70-60, on Thursday night.