Wolverine women host Independent Tournament

OREM — The Utah Valley State women's basketball team hopes to finish off its season successfully this weekend as the Wolverines host the Division I Independent Tournament at the McKay Center.

The Wolverines play three games in the six-team tournament today through Saturday.

"For us, we're looking to get some victories to end our season playing good basketball," said Wolverine head coach Cathy Nixon. "If we play good basketball, good things will happen. We want to send our seniors on a good positive note and see our younger kids contribute and have good games to finish the season."

The six teams taking part in the tournament include Utah Valley State (2-21), Northern Colorado (10-15), Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne 4-21), Texas-Pan American (13-12), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (19-6) and Savannah State (6-19).

"I think it's going to be very good competition," Nixon said. "Each team's games against each other have been very close. I think it's going to be a great weekend of good competition."

The Wolverines will play at 7 both tonight and tomorrow. The 7 p.m. game on Saturday is reserved for the tournament championship game. The teams will be seeded 1-6, according to their records against Division I opponents.

Utah Valley State endured a difficult regular season, losing 19 of 21 games, including its last nine. The Wolverines' final loss finished in disappointing fashion. After leading Northern Colorado 60-57 with 3:43 to play, the Wolverines allowed the Bears to score 11 of the game's last 15 points to walk away with a 68-64 victory.

Though the loss disheartened the team, bright spots did shine through. Juniors Kaydee Allred and Miriam Palkki and freshman Rebekah Fales established themselves as next season's team leaders. Allred led the Wolverines with 18 points, including 15 in the second half while Fales and Palkki chipped in 16 and 13 respectively. Palkki also pulled down a game-high ten rebounds.

Fales was named Division I Independent newcomer of the week for the fourth time of the season for her efforts.

"Rebekah has really improved and stepped up in the last month," Nixon said "She loves to compete. She has a real winning attitude. I see that translating into success for her on the court."

Fans can enjoy the entire three-day tournament for $25 or a single day for $10. A single-day family pass costs $25 while students with current school I.D. can get in for $6 daily.