EDINBURG, Texas — A big third quarter helped Utah Valley University open its four-game Texas road trip with a 62-54 win over the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Friday night. The win helps UVU keep pace with Grand Canyon in a tie for second place in the WAC standings.
 
The Wolverines (9-5, 7-4) hit 13-of-18 from the field (72.2%) in the third quarter and outscored the Vaqueros 28-15, to turn a 3-point halftime deficit into a 10-point advantage after three.
 
"We challenged the team at halftime to come out and just do what they're good at, and I was really pleased with how we responded in that third quarter," UVU head coach Dan Nielson said. "This is a big win that gets a tough road trip started off on the right foot."
 
Shay Fano finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three steals for Utah Valley, while Josie Williams scored a team-high 15 and Maria Carvalho added 10 points and seven rebounds. UTRGV (5-11, 1-6) got a game-high 24 from Amara Graham on 8-for-11 from the floor.
 
With UTRGV leading 30-28 early in the third, the Wolverines went on a 16-5 run to take a 44-35 lead when Megan Jensen scored down low, two of 38 points in the paint for UVU. The Vaqueros finished with 18 points in the paint. Jensen scored again with under 10 seconds to go in the third to give Utah Valley its biggest lead of the game to that point, 50-40. UT Rio Grande Valley got no closer than seven in the fourth.
 
The Wolverines out-rebounded the Vaqueros, 42-34, and shot 41.4% from the floor (24-for-58), while UTRGV was 20-for-56 (35.7%). The teams will meet again on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT/2 p.m. MT.

Following Saturday's game, Utah Valley will travel to Stephenville, Texas for two games at Tarleton next Tuesday and Wednesday to close out the regular season.