OGDEN, Utah — Ally Criddle scored a game-high 16 points and Danja Stafford Collins grabbed 18 rebounds to lead Utah Valley to a 57-55 win over in-state rival Weber State on Friday night at the Dee Events Center in Ogden.
Tahlia White pitched in 14 points — 10 of which sparked a third quarter rally to give the team its first lead of the night — with five steals and four rebounds to help push the Wolverines over the hump.
Stafford Collins' 18 boards are the most by any player from a WAC school this season, surpassing California Baptist's Gracie Schmidt who had 17 against Texas Southern just last night.
As a team, the Wolverines forced 28 turnovers, which contributed to a 25-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
"Basketball is a game that rewards toughness. You get some steals and get into an offensive rhythm, and I think that's what you saw especially in the third and fourth quarters," said head coach Dan Nielson. "It really comes from the defensive pressure and the hustle plays. Danja getting 18 rebounds is just ridiculous, and that fuels us, and I'm just so proud of our group."
After Ally Criddle nailed a three pointer to give Utah Valley a 5-4 lead at the 8:04 mark, the Wildcats went on a 9-0 run over the remainder of the quarter to take a 13-5 lead after one.
The Wolverines responded with a run of their own out of the quarter break. A pair of layups by Tessa Chaney and a three ball by Halle Nelson cut the deficit to one at 15-14 at the 5:05 mark. Defense took over the rest of the half, as WSU took a 21-18 lead into intermission.
White took over in the third quarter to give the Wolverines their first lead of the night. White scored 10 of the team's 21 points — including eight straight at the heart of a 13-3 run — to give the team a 39-33 advantage heading into the fourth.
A back-and-forth final period set up a thrilling finish. Utah Valley never relinquished its lead in the fourth, but were unable to push the lead beyond five over the last seven minutes.
Criddle made a tough contested layup with 1:09 left to make it 53-49, but two free throws by the Wildcats cut the lead back in half. Although the Wolverines were unable to score on their next possession, they were able to take some precious time off the clock thanks to a Stafford Collins offensive board, one of nine for her on the night.
On the ensuing Wildcat possession, Kylee Mabry was able to force a turnover and then make both her free throws to push the lead back up to four with 10 seconds to go. Weber State made a quick layup, to cut it to two, but Criddle was able to ice the game at the line sinking both free throws with under five seconds to go.
Utah Valley will enjoy a two-week break before heading to Abilene, Texas to open WAC play on Saturday, Jan. 4 against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. MST, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
