CEDAR CITY, Utah — Utah Valley dropped a 76-68 decision to Southern Utah in a Western Athletic Conference matchup Thursday night at the America First Event Center. The Wolverines (9-6, 2-2 WAC) mounted a late rally, trimming a 16-point deficit to three in the fourth quarter, but could not overcome Southern Utah's efficient shooting night. The Thunderbirds (11-4, 3-0 WAC) connected on 11 3-pointers and were led by Ava Uhlrich's 20-point, 16-rebound double-double.
 
Amanda Barcello paced all scorers with 21 points, finishing a perfect 7-for-7 at the free-throw line. Saige Gibb added 11 points, while Kylee Mabry knocked down a pair of key corner 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as part of Utah Valley's comeback effort. The Wolverines forced 27 turnovers and recorded 16 steals, converting those miscues into 18 points.
 
Utah Valley jumped out to an early 9-6 lead behind baskets from Tessa Chaney and Barcello, but Southern Utah seized control with a 12-1 run to close the first quarter and take a 22-11 advantage. Morgan Trigueiro fueled the Thunderbirds from beyond the arc, finishing the first half 4-for-5 from 3-point range as SUU carried a double-digit lead into the break.
 
The Wolverines chipped away in the second quarter as Cambree Blackham hit a 3-pointer and added a fastbreak layup, while Barcello drained a transition 3 to cut the deficit to single digits. Gracie Sorenson provided a spark off the bench with five points before halftime, but Southern Utah responded late to push its lead to 39-29 at the break.
 
Utah Valley applied defensive pressure in the third quarter, forcing 12 turnovers in the period and cutting the margin to single digits following a Barcello 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 run. Freshman Anna Shreeve stepped in off the bench and added a pair of free throws. The Thunderbirds answered with back-to-back triples, maintaining control and taking a 57-44 lead into the final period.
 
The Wolverines opened the fourth quarter with renewed energy, as Mabry buried consecutive corner 3-pointers and Blackham finished at the rim to make it a 10-point game. Utah Valley continued to press, using a 13-0 run highlighted by a Barcello layup and a mid-range jumper from Gibb to pull within 60-57 with just over five minutes remaining. Uhlrich answered with a second-chance 3-pointer, and Southern Utah closed out the game at the free-throw line to secure the win.
 
Utah Valley shot 44% in the fourth quarter and totaled 24 points in the final frame, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley will renew the Old Hammer Rivalry at Utah Tech on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a 2 p.m. MT tip at Burns Arena. The Wolverines then return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17, with a road matchup at UT Arlington.