KENNESAW, Georgia — Saige Gibb scored, was fouled, and knocked down a free throw with just 3.1 seconds left to lift Utah Valley University to a 64-61 road win at Kennesaw State University on Saturday night at the KSU Convocation Center. The game was the first of two that the Wolverines (2-0) will play as part of the WAC/Conference USA Challenge.
 
Both teams had big runs and long stretches without a bucket in the fourth quarter in a game UVU led for much of the way. An 8-0 run in the first half of the fourth gave the Wolverines a 57-47 advantage with 6:38 to go. The Owls (1-1) were without a made field goal for over eight minutes before making four straight to tie it in the closing seconds.
 
Utah Valley suffered through a stretch of six minutes and 35 seconds without a field goal before Gibb's bucket. KSU had tied the game on a 3-pointer from Kailyn Fields with 8.9 seconds left, setting up the final play that saw Gibb drive to the hoop, score on an underhand scoop while also taking a hit to the arm on her way in. The Owls had one last chance but didn't have a timeout to advance the ball and the desperation look hit off the backboard.
 
"What a big win for us. Making this long trip isn't easy, and I'm so proud of how the team played," head coach Dan Nielson said. "We answered every time they made a run, and for Saige to make that play when we needed it most, what an awesome thing for her. It's never easy to win on the road in college basketball so we'll savor this one and have a happy flight home."
 
Kylee Mabry led UVU with 16 points and six steals while Danja Stafford Collins had her first double-double in a Wolverine uniform with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Amanda Barcello added nine points and a three steals while Ally Criddle finished with eight points before fouling out. Gibb finished with five points off the bench while also collecting a pair of steals. Kennesaw State's Keyarah Berry led all scorers with 20 points with Keiara Griffin finishing with 13 and Prencis Harden adding a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards.
 
The game was tied 8-8 early when the Wolverines began a stretch of 6-for-9 shooting from the field. UVU led by 14-10 after one and stretched it to 18-10 early in the second on a Stafford Collins bucket. Tessa Chaney scored on a layup on a feed from Halle Nelson to push Utah Valley's lead to 10, 27-17 with 4:28 before the half. Nelson would finish the game with four points, five rebounds, and two steals.
 
Kennesaw State chipped into the deficit, getting to within two with just 11 seconds left in the quarter but Stafford Collins corralled a loose ball, scored, and was fouled with 0.3 seconds left with her free throw making it 33-28 at the break. Mabry had nine to lead Utah Valley while Stafford Collins added seven points and five rebounds.
 
The Owls tied the game at 35-35 less than three minutes into the third on a jumper by Harden. Utah Valley answered though, going on a quick 10-2 spurt with 3-pointers coming from both Criddle and Mabry. It was 40-37 when Mabry connected on her triple and Barcello added a layup to make it 45-37. Utah Valley led 49-44 after three. The Wolverines pushed the lead to 10 in the fourth with the 8-0 run, with five of the points coming from Barcello.
 
Both teams were above 40% from the field but suffered from too many turnovers, combining for 55 in the game with KSU turning it over 29 times. The Wolverines, who had 23 steals in the season-opening win over Kansas City, finished with 18 on Saturday. Utah Valley will return home for a four-game homestand beginning next Wednesday against Park University. The Wolverines will also host CSU Bakersfield next Saturday afternoon.