UVSC women run away from North Dakota State

OREM — The Utah Valley State women closed out their home basketball season in a big way Friday night.

The Wolverines overcame a sluggish start to pound North Dakota State 76-57 and give UVSC its fourth win in five games.

Down 38-39, UVSC's Sandy Marvin scored two of her game-high 19 points to give the Wolverines a 40-39 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Senior Kaydee Allred, in her final home game as a Wolverine, followed with two consecutive baskets that keyed a 23-6 run. Rebekah Peterson scored all of her 10 points during the run that handed UVSC a 61-45 lead with 8:03 remaining in the game.

"She (Peterson) was a definite spark for us," said UVSC coach Cathy Nixon. "She really does provide a nice spark and energy defensively. She's a feisty kid. I love to see her go in there and scrap and she definitely gave us a boost on both ends."

Allred, Miriam Palkki, and Jessica Scabby all played their final home game for the Wolverines Friday night. Palkki was held to 10 points, eight below her season average, but she did pull down seven rebounds and dish out four assists. Allred had a team-high 10 rebounds.

"I can't say enough about what those kids have done for our program," said Nixon referring to her seniors. "Those kids have a perspective on every step that we've taken. They're just unbelievable people. I love them for who they are as students and people and what they've done as far as their commitment to Utah Valley State."

In the first half, the score was tied at 19-19 with 4:35 remaining when the Bison scored six unanswered points, including two baskets by freshmen Ali Sonstelie. The Wolverines responded with a 6-2 run of their own. Hollie Beaman hit two free throws followed by Robyn Fairbanks and Palkki baskets to pull UVSC within two at 27-25 at the half.

Fairbanks led the Wolverines in the first half with seven points and finished with 14.

UVSC was out rebounded 29-19 in the first half, but pulled even by the end of the night at 46-46.

"The two factors we talked about at halftime were rebounds and our assist to turnover ratio," said Nixon. "I really was pleased with the way the kids came out defensively and I thought that really generated things offensively."

The Wolverines, now 11-14, take to the road for their final two games of the season. Next up is IPFW on Wednesday. The Bison dropped to 8-16 on the season.