Utah Valley campus briefs

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: A shorthanded Utah Valley women's basketball team couldn't keep up with a hot-shooting Portland State squad, falling 85-58 at The McKay Center on Friday afternoon in Orem.

The Wolverines (3-10) lost their fifth straight and were without leading scorer Julie Smith and third-leading scorer Kayla Burningham.

Jenna Johnson led the way for UVU, leading all scorers with 20 points, while Erika Newbold finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Vikings (5-6) had six players reach double figures led by 13 off the bench from Erin Yankus. Kelli Valentine had 11 points and seven rebounds and Clair Faucher finished with 11 points, six assists and four steals.

Portland State hit seven of its first eight shots from the field, including 5-for-6 from the 3-point line, to jump out to a 19-7 lead less than five minutes into the game. Faucher hit all three of her 3-point attempts up to that point.

The Vikings shot a blistering 68.8 percent (22-for-32) in the first half, racing out to a 54-31 lead by halftime.

Blake Reynolds and Kyra Prause each had six points for Utah Valley, while Cynde Mason pulled down seven rebounds. PSU finished with 25 assists on its 34 made field goals and outscored UVU 38-20 in the paint and 39-12 in bench points.

Portland State, which was picked to finish atop the Big Sky Conference, tied the all-time series with Utah Valley at three wins apiece.

The Wolverines will now be off for the Christmas holiday and then return to action on Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. in The McKay Center against Portland.