OREM, Utah — Utah Valley rallied from a halftime deficit to earn a 77-60 win over UT Arlington on Saturday afternoon inside the UCCU Center. The Wolverines (13-12, 6-8 WAC) were led by Halle Nelson, who recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds while adding a career-high eight assists, finishing just two shy of UVU's first triple-double since Julie Smith in 2009.
 
UVU forced UT Arlington (10-17, 4-11 WAC) into 27 turnovers and converted them into 24 points while adding 17 fast-break points and recording 17 steals in the victory. Amanda Barcello scored a game-high 25 points on 6-of-10 shooting from three-point range and collected five steals. Cambree Blackham added 16 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Kylee Mabry chipped in eight points and three steals.
 
"I loved our response in the second half after a sluggish start," said UVU head coach Dan Nielson. "I thought our pressure turned into points, which made the difference in the second half. Halle was fantastic tonight, contributing in every area of the game, and Amanda's shooting was a difference maker. It was a great week for us, and now we need to keep the momentum heading to Texas next week."
 
The two teams traded leads in the opening quarter. Barcello got off to a fast start with eight first-quarter points, including a pair of three-pointers in the opening minutes, helping Utah Valley jump ahead 10-8. UT Arlington responded with a late push and closed the quarter on a 4-1 run to take an 18-16 lead.
 
UT Arlington continued to attack inside in the second quarter and maintained its edge. Barcello kept the Wolverines within striking distance with five points in the period, including a three-pointer and a layup that cut the deficit to one. Nelson sparked Utah Valley with eight points in the quarter and three offensive rebounds that led to seven second-chance points. Despite Utah Valley's defensive pressure, the Lady Mavs carried a 35-31 lead into halftime.
 
Utah Valley seized control in the third quarter. The Wolverines opened the half with baskets from Blackham, Barcello and Nelson before Mabry knocked down a three-pointer to give UVU a 42-39 lead. Utah Valley then used a decisive 19-2 run — highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Barcello — to build a 50-39 advantage with 3:10 remaining. Nelson capped the surge with a fast-break layup, and the Wolverines outscored UT Arlington 27-7 in the quarter to take a 58-42 lead into the fourth.
 
The Wolverines pushed their lead past 20 early in the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run that included three-pointers from Barcello and Mabry. Utah Valley continued to capitalize on Lady Maverick turnovers — including nine in the quarter — converting them into 10 points to secure the 17-point victory.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley travels to Texas next week for two road games, beginning with its only visit to Tarleton State on Thursday, Feb. 26, before closing the trip at Abilene Christian on Saturday, Feb. 28.