UVSC beats Boise by making free throws

OREM — The women's basketball teams from Utah Valley State and visiting Boise State traded haymakers Wednesday in the second half of an 81-66 Wolverine win.

UVSC parlayed a 9-2 run into a 62-49 advantage with nine minutes remaining. With the Wolverines seemingly comfortably in control of the game, the Broncos answered right back by scoring 11 straight points to cut the UVSC lead to two.

Utah Valley State, though, regained its composure and calmly landed a knockout blow at the free-throw line, shooting 13-for-15 from the charity stripe in the game's final six minutes during a stretch in which the Wolverines outscored Boise State 19-6.

"(Boise State) really did make a run, pulling to within two (at 62-60)," UVSC coach Cathy Nixon said. "I was really proud of our kids (and) the way we responded. We went kind of cold offensively, but we sustained things on the defensive end and gave ourselves a chance (to stay in the game). Most importantly, we just got it done when we really needed to."

Sophomore center Robyn Fairbanks led the Wolverines (6-1) with 29 points and a career-high and school-record 20 rebounds. UVSC guard Sandy Marvin (Payson High) scored 28 points while shooting 13-for-13 from the free-throw line.

The game turned for good in the Wolverines' favor on a three-point play by Marvin with four minutes remaining. Fairbanks grabbed a defensive rebound and quickly handed the ball off to point guard Asumi Nakayama, who in turn whipped a long outlet pass down the sideline to Hollie Beaman. From the right wing beyond the 3-point line, Beaman spotted Marvin open underneath the basket. Marvin made the layup, got fouled and sank the ensuing free throw to put UVSC ahead 68-60.

Marvin accounted for nine of Utah Valley State's 13 free throws down the stretch. At one point, she stayed at the line for four consecutive foul shots when Boise State's Jackie Lee was called for both a personal and technical foul on the same play.

"The way that (Marvin) closed the game with the free throws at the end I thought was the real difference," Nixon said.

Sophomore guard Jessica Thompson was Boise State's leading scorer with 20 points.

Having begun their season with seven home dates, the Wolverines will play their first road game of the year Saturday at Idaho State.