OREM, Utah — Utah Valley got a career-high 22 points from Babalu Stewart, Maria Carvalho added 20 points and seven assists and Josie Williams finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds in an 82-62 win over Chicago State on Thursday night at the UCCU Center.
 
The trio went for 60 points and combined to make 21 of their 33 attempts from the field on a night the Wolverines (9-10, 4-4) shot a season-high 56.9% (29-for-51) from the floor. Williams, who also had a career-high six assists and matched a career-best with five blocks, recorded her 12th double-double and is now just four points shy of 1,000 for her career.

"We were able to get the ball inside tonight and as a result shot the ball really well. Getting Babalu back from injury and illness has been big for us and you can see what she's able to do. She helped set the tone for us early," said UVU head coach Dan Nielson. "We've got some really good teams coming in here next week and a tough road trip after that so we're focusing on consistency and continuing to build on this momentum."
 
Stewart sparked an 8-0 Wolverine run to open the game, scoring all eight on two quick layups, a free throw and a 3-pointer. Carvalho, who had seven in the opening quarter, hit a jumper that gave UVU a 24-15 lead with 1:43 left. UVU had its highest-scoring first quarter of the season and held a 28-19 advantage after one, behind 10-of-13 (76.9%) shooting.
 
Carvalho and Stewart scored seven straight points for Utah Valley to increase the lead to 38-25 with 2:49 left in the half. In the second quarter, the free-throw line was a difference maker. UVU went 8-for-9 as a team, while Williams made four late in the half. Stewart had 18 of her 22 in the opening half.
 
In the third, Megan Jensen had four of her nine points in the paint, which helped push the lead to 57-35. UVU finished with 38 points in the paint on the night. The lead swelled to as much as 24 late in the third quarter after Carvalho and Tahlia White both scored on driving layups.
 
Chicago State made a small run towards the end of the third and early in the fourth, getting to as close as 13 with 8:10 to go. Allysah Booth made three free throws and later hit from deep to cut into the lead. Booth had 11 points to lead Chicago State on the evening. Utah Valley responded with an 8-0 run to increase the lead back to 21, 71-50, with the trio of Carvalho, Williams, and Stewart providing the scoring for the Wolverines.
 
The Wolverines have now beaten Chicago State in seven straight contests. It is the last scheduled contest between the two teams with the Cougars set to leave the WAC after this 2021-22 season.
 
Utah Valley will continue to play at home next week against a pair of WAC newcomers. Last season's Southland Conference champions, Stephen F. Austin, will be in Orem next Thursday, Feb. 3 for a 6 p.m. MT tip. UVU will also host Sam Houston on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. MT. Both games will be played in Lockhart Arena.