OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University fell to California Baptist University, 85-75, at the UCCU Center. Amanda Barcello scored a career-high 31 points and made six 3-pointers, shooting 10-for-15 from the field.  With the performance, Barcello moved into fifth place all-time in career 3-pointers with 122 at UVU (9-10, 2-6). She is also the first WAC player to score 30 or more points in a game this season and the first Wolverine to do so since Tahlia White's 34 against UT Arlington last February. Shawnee Nordstrom scored a career-high 21 points for CBU (13-8, 7-1).
 
Kaylee Headrick recorded 15 points and eight rebounds. Cambree Blackham secured a career-high seven rebounds to go along with nine points and six assists. Saige Gibb tied a career high with five assists and blocked two shots.
 
Utah Valley opened the game with a strong offensive display, shooting 47% in the first quarter, highlighted by Barcello's two early 3-pointers. The home team capitalized on turnovers, with Halle Nelson and Headrick both contributing key steals that kept pressure on the visitors. Despite seven lead changes, Utah Valley edged ahead late in the quarter on a layup by Headrick with 50 seconds remaining, giving UVU a 19-18 lead after one period.
 
Utah Valley used an 8-0 run early in the second quarter that started with a jumper from Gibb before Blackham scored on a fastbreak layup and then added a jump shot to cap the run, giving UVU a 27-22 lead. Later, the Wolverines extended the lead to 36-28 after four points from Gracie Sorenson and a 3-pointer from Barcello. The Lancers responded by narrowing the gap, and a late 3-pointer by Nordstrom made it 37-36. In the final seconds, CBU capitalized on free throws by Filipa Barros to take a slim lead. The quarter ended with Utah Valley trailing 38-37.
 
Utah Valley opened the third quarter with a tight exchange, highlighted by Barcello's jumper and Blackham answering a CBU 3-pointer with one of her own with 8:33 left to cut the deficit to 43-42. Despite a strong defensive effort, including a block by Gibb, the Wolverines faced a challenge as the Lancers pushed ahead with 3-pointers from Nordstrom and Lauren Olsen, who scored 19 points for CBU.
 
Utah Valley opened the fourth quarter looking to rally and found momentum with a series of plays in the paint. Headrick recorded back-to-back buckets, cutting the deficit to four before Nelson added a layup to make it 68-64 with 6:46 left. The Lancers' offense continued to find ways to score as they pulled away in the final five minutes for the road victory.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley will play once next week, hosting Tarleton State on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. MT in Lockhart Arena. The Wolverines will start February on the road, visiting Abilene Christian and UT Arlington.