OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University used a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter en route to its fifth straight win, 70-58, over Seattle University on Saturday in the UCCU Center. The Wolverines (6-9) also moved to 3-0 in WAC play while the Redhawks (7-9) dropped to 1-2 in the conference.
 
Reigning WAC Player of the Week Maria Carvalho matched the career high she set last week with 19 points and also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out seven assists. Jordan Holland scored 15 for UVU while Josie Williams had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Alexis Cortez rounded out four Wolverines in double figures with 10.

"Maria has been awesome these last two games. I'm proud of her for turning the corner. We wouldn't be winning like we are without her. I also think the depth of our team is really starting to show. It's a good sign for us," said head coach Dan Nielson. "Mentally we now have to prepare for a New Mexico State team who has won this league many times for a reason."

With UVU holding a 47-46 lead entering the final 10 minutes, Williams scored four quick points to start the fourth-quarter run. Eve Braslis scored down low and Holland got a 3-point play with a layup and free throw and the Wolverines led by 10, 56-46. The Redhawks got it back down to six, 62-56, with 2:52 to go, but would get no closer. Utah Valley outscored Seattle U, 23-12, in the fourth.
 
The game was tight early with the lead changing hands eight times in the opening half and neither team leading by more than four points. The Wolverines closed both quarters well, scoring four straight to end the first quarter and going on a 7-2 run to finish the half.
 
In the opening quarter, Holland scored six points and put the Wolverines ahead 12-11 with a layup with 1:24 left. Cortez knocked down a jumper with 20 seconds to go and the Wolverines didn't allow the Redhawks a good look before time expired and UVU led 14-11 after one.
 
Seattle U led 20-19 after a pair of free throws from Joana Alves before Carvalho hit a jumper to start the half-ending spurt. That bucket put UVU ahead for good. Carvalho capped the first-half scoring with a corner three, and the Wolverines led 26-22 at the break.
 
Utah Valley scored eight of the first 10 points out of the half, stretching the lead to 10, 34-24, just over a minute into the third quarter. Seattle whittled away at the deficit, getting it down to four, 41-37, with 3:39 to go. Carvalho hit another corner three to push the lead back to 7, 44-37, at the 2:32 mark. The Redhawks made back-to-back 3-pointers late in the quarter and were within one, 47-46 after three.
 
The Wolverines dealt with foul trouble throughout, with both Braslis and Holland fouling out. The Redhawks got to the line 25 times but made just 16, for 64%, while Utah Valley went 20-for-22 (90.9%). Dating back to last Saturday's win over Kansas City, the Wolverines are 42 for their last 44 from the line. They'd also made 32 straight after hitting the first 10 against Seattle U.
 
Alves led the Redhawks with 17 points but Kamira Sanders, who leads the WAC in scoring, was limited to just eight points. Braslis added eight points and seven rebounds for the Wolverines, who won the battle of the boards, 43-35. Utah Valley also outshot Seattle U, hitting 41.8% (23-55) from the field compared to 31.6% (18-57) by the Redhawks.
 
The Wolverines will hit the road for the first time in WAC play next week with games at New Mexico State (Jan. 16) and UT Rio Grande Valley (Jan. 18).