UVU women’s hoops drop fifth straight game

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The Wolverine women are still seeking their first win in conference play this season after losing their fifth straight game, this one to Grand Canyon University, 61-53. It was a close game from the opening tip, but UVU was unable to close it out down the stretch.

The Wolverines were able to stifle GCU for much of the first half, giving up only four points in the second quarter, but struggled to score themselves, resulting in a low scoring contest. UVUWbbvsISU-22Nevertheless, UVU led at the half 27-23. UVU had a one point lead going into the fourth quarter but it was all GCU from there, as the Lopes outscored the Wolverines 24-15 to close out the game.

Deijah Blanks led the Wolverines in scoring with 14 points and also grabbed six rebounds. The only other UVU player in double digits was Sam Loggins, who added 10 points. Loggins also recorded eight rebounds and two assists.

UVU lost the rebounding battle 43-31 and struggled defending the three-point line, where GCU shot 54 percent on 7-of-13 shots. The Wolverines meanwhile shot only 34 percent, including 25 percent from three.

Cheyenne Hendrington led the Lopes with 16 points, six rebounds and an assist.  Other Lopes in double digits were Tanesha Daniels, Jessica Gajewski and Alyx Bloom with 14, 12, 11 points, respectively. Daniels also recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds.

“There was two things that separated us tonight, and that was rebounding and the three-point line,” said head coach Cathy Nixon. “When you have a team that’s in little bit of a down slide like we are, we’ve gotta pick ourselves up by the boot straps.”

The Wolverine women will continue their WAC home stand with their next contest coming against the University of Missouri – Kansas City January 21 in the UCCU center, tipping off at 5 p.m.