Wolverines' comeback falls short

UC Riverside 69, UVSC 62

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Utah Valley State women's basketball team forged a furious comeback but fell short Saturday at UC Riverside, 69-62. The Wolverines (7-13) trailed 50-33 with 12:30 left in the game, then went on a 24-7 run to tie the game at 57 with 1:48 to go when Robyn Fairbanks scored two of her game-high 23 points on an assist from Hollie Beaman.

Riverside's Seyram Gbewonyo hit a big 3-pointer with 1:18 left before Fairbanks scored again to cut the lead to one with 1:01 left.

Following a timeout, Kirsten Muir hit a back-breaking 3 with 48 seconds to go to give Riverside a four-point lead at 63-59.

The Wolverines had a couple of chances in the end, but a turnover and an offensive rebound on a free throw iced it for the Highlanders.

Fairbanks finished with nine rebounds, three assists and a steal to go with her 23 points. Miriam Palkki had 11 for UVSC, while Hollie Beaman had six points and six assists and Rebekah Peterson contributed seven points and seven rebounds.In the first half the Wolverines led 14-9 but went 9:00 minutes without a field goal. Still, they were within striking distance at the half down just five at 23-18.

Riverside came out on fire in the second half, hitting 10 of its first 14 shots to build that 17 point lead. Vanessa Campillo hit three 3-pointers during that hot streak while Gbewonyo hit two 3-pointers of her own.

Gbewonyo recorded the first double-double of her career with 23 points and 13 rebounds. The freshman hit 5-for-10 from the floor including 4-for-8 from the three point line. She also hit four free throws in the final minute to help Riverside hold off the Wolverines.

After shooting just 25 percent in the first half Utah Valley State came back to hit 51.5% in the second half while putting 44 points on the boards.

Up next for Utah Valley State is Grand Canyon on Saturday.