BOZEMAN, Mont. — Josie Williams scored a season-high 22 points, but Utah Valley University couldn't overcome a hot-shooting second half from Montana State, falling 67-58 on Saturday at Worthington Arena.
 
A 9-0 run early in the fourth proved costly for the Wolverines (5-4), who got within four late. The Bobcats (6-5) hit 60% (15-for-25) in the second half including 7-for-11 (63.6%) in the fourth.
 
"Give them credit, they hit shots in the second half. Ultimately, we've got to be able to score the ball better," said UVU head coach Dan Nielson. "We weren't aggressive enough trying to get the ball in the post, and our shooters weren't ready to shoot. It's a little frustrating to take a step back after our showing on Thursday but it's a good lesson because that's what conference play will be like. We've got to be ready to turn it around quickly."
 
Maria Carvalho joined Williams in double figures with 14 points while Megan Jensen added nine and hit all four of her attempts from the field. Williams and Shay Fano both had a game-high eight rebounds with UVU winning that battle, 38-26. Kola Bad Bear led three Montana State players in double figures with 17 — on 7-for-10 from the field — while Darian White and Leia Beattie both chipped in 14.
 
The Bobcats were 35-for-58 (43.1%) overall while the Wolverines shot 42.3% (22-for-52) for the game. Utah Valley finished with 32 of its points in the paint.
 
Both teams struggled mightily from the field in the opening quarter, combining for just six makes on 33 attempts. The game was tied 8-8 after one.
 
The Bobcats had a stretch of five makes in six attempts early in the second quarter and built a modest four-point lead. A Carvalho drive and bucket with the left hand, and a Jensen field goal down low knotted it at 20-20 and the game entered halftime deadlocked at 22-22. Both teams shot considerably better in the second, with the Wolverines making 7-of-11 (63.6%) and the Bobcats hitting 7-for-15 (46.7%). Carvalho and Bad Bear both scored eight to lead their teams in scoring.
 
After missing all 11 attempts from three in the first half, Montana State hit three straight from beyond the arc and five of their first six in the quarter. Utah Valley kept pace inside the paint, with Williams connecting on three attempts and Jensen another, while Tahlia White also added a corner three.
 
UVU trailed 37-34 when Williams scored, but that was answered by 3-pointer late in the clock by Ashley Van Sickle. Carvalho came back with a jumper but again MSU answered with a Katelynn Limardo three. Williams connected on two from the line to get the Wolverines back within three by the end of the third, 43-40.  
 
Montana State continued to stay hot in the fourth, hitting five straight to start the quarter. It was 48-47 when Darian White went on her own 7-0 run, capping it with an open three and giving the Bobcats a 55-47 lead with 6:46 remaining. Bad Bear extended the run to nine straight with two free throws and MSU had its biggest advantage, 57-47, with 6:11 left.
 
UVU got within four on a Jensen jumper in the paint but would get no closer. The Wolverines had chances down five with the basketball on more than one occasion but couldn't convert.
 
Utah Valley will be off for finals for most of next week before at in-state contest at Utah next Saturday afternoon, Dec. 18, in Salt Lake City.