LOGAN, Utah — Shay Fano had 18 points and 12 rebounds but Utah Valley couldn't withstand a late run from Utah State and fell 65-55 on Saturday afternoon in the Spectrum. The Wolverines (1-6) were within one, 54-53, with under five minutes to go but the Aggies (3-5) closed the contest on an 11-2 run.
"I'm proud of our effort today. I think we took a step in the right direction," said UVU head coach
Dan Nielson. "If we get a break or two, then maybe the result is different but we competed and did some good things. If we can continue to play cleaner and eliminate some mistakes then we'll see results start to go our way."
Jaeden Brown added nine points, eight rebounds and a career-high six blocks while
Saige Gibb established a new career high with nine points. Former UVU guard
Maria Carvalho led all scorers with 21, including 5-for-6 from three, with 10 points coming in the final quarter.
The Aggies took advantage of early turnovers by the Wolverines and also hit four 3-pointers in the opening quarter to take a 16-9 lead after one. Eight of USU's points came after nine UVU turnovers in the opening frame.
Both teams struggled to score early in the second before Fano scored to make it 16-11 three minutes into the second, but was whistled for her second foul on the next possession to force her to the bench. The Aggies scored five straight with Carvalho hitting a 3-pointer to extend it to 21-11 before
Mae Afoa scored, was fouled and converted the free throw to make it 21-14.
The Wolverines trailed 28-20 when
Eleyana Tafisi scored five points on one trip down the court. She buried a 3-pointer and then, after a foul was whistled off the ball while the ball was in the air giving UVU the ball right back, Tafisi scored on a driving layup to make it 28-25. Fano tied it after going 1-for-2 from the line and then scoring inside to cap an 8-0 UVU run. Utah State got two free-throws right before the end of the half to take a 30-28 lead into the break. Fano had nine at the break to lead all scorers.
Brown spurred a 6-2 run to begin the third and give Utah Valley its first lead of the game on a layup with 7:12 left in the quarter, forcing an Aggie timeout. The game was knotted at 34-34 when Fano scored and was fouled for a 3-point play that put UVU back in front. Mayson Kimball put Utah State back in front, going on a 7-1 run by herself that put USU back in front, 41-38.
The third quarter was filled with fouls and trips to the line. The teams were whistled for a combined 19 fouls and shot a total of 25 free throws. Utah State made 8-of-10 while UVU went 10-for-15 from the line and the Aggies held a 46-42 advantage after three.
Carvalho hit two big 3-pointers early in the fourth to push Utah State's lead to eight, 54-46, with 6:49 to go. Following a Utah Valley timeout, Gibb buried a corner three,
Ally Criddle scored after Fano got a steal and fed her on the other end, and Criddle then found Gibb for a fastbreak layup to cut it to one, 54-53. Utah State pulled away with a 9-0 run and got to the line six times during the decisive 11-2 spurt that ended the contest.
Utah Valley outrebounded Utah State, 47-33, and outshot the Aggies overall, but 24 Wolverine turnovers led to 29 points for USU.
The Wolverines will be home for two games next week beginning Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Idaho State. UVU will also welcome Northwest Nazarene on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. in the UCCU Center.
