LAS VEGAS – No. 5-seeded Tarleton State rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 4-seeded Utah Valley, 60-57, on Thursday afternoon at the Orleans Arena. Utah Valley (16-14) held the lead for most of the game, but Tarleton State (14-16) outscored the Wolverines 20-11 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback victory.
 
Kaylee Headrick scored 17 points for the Wolverines while adding seven rebounds and four steals. Amanda Barcello played all 40 minutes and finished with 15 points and five steals, while Cambree Blackham added 10 points and seven assists.
 
Utah Valley trailed 7-0 after the Texans opened the game on a run, but the Wolverines tightened up defensively. Kylee Mabry knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing before Headrick's reverse layup cut the lead to 7-5. Utah Valley continued to chip away and later trailed 14-7 before ending the first quarter on an 8-0 run. The surge began with a layup inside from All-WAC Second Team selection Blackham, followed by layups from Barcello and Headrick, including Headrick's layup at the buzzer.
 
The Texans jumped back in front early in the second quarter, but Utah Valley attacked the basket and was rewarded with layups and free throws. The Wolverines regained the lead following a jumper inside from Mabry before Blackham nailed a 3-pointer from the wing to give UVU a 24-20 advantage. Like the first quarter, Utah Valley closed the half on an 8-0 run, led by Headrick, who scored twice in the paint and added a 3-pointer to give the Wolverines a 32-25 halftime lead.
 
Utah Valley built a nine-point advantage in the first minute of the third quarter on a midrange jumper from Barcello. The Wolverines continued to push the ball inside, with Halle Nelson scoring on a putback and Jenna Sorenson adding a basket in the paint. Sorenson's hook shot pushed the lead to eight at 38-30 with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter. The Texans cut the deficit to six heading into the fourth after hitting a pair of late 3-pointers.
 
Tarleton State used a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to regain the lead, 49-48, with 6:44 remaining. Following a UVU timeout, Barcello drove to the basket and was fouled on her layup attempt, completing the three-point play to put the Wolverines back in front, 51-49.
 
Tarleton State's Kyrianna Jones hit a corner 3-pointer to give the Texans a 58-57 lead with 31 seconds remaining. Utah Valley's Halle Nelson drove to the basket late, looking to give the Wolverines the lead, but freshman Elodie Lutbert blocked the shot. UVU had one final opportunity, but Barcello's 3-point attempt was off the mark.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley will wait to see if it receives an invitation to the WNIT. The tournament field will be announced on Sunday.