Last weekend marked a high point in the women’s basketball season (2-14) as they took to home court against Seattle University.
After 10 consecutive losses the lady Wolverines were all smiles as they got a win, 74-64, and maybe just what they needed going into full-fledged conference contests from here on out.
“We’ve been talking about being hungry and Abbie [Beutler] goes [following the game], “that just felt like a turkey dinner.” We’ve been kind of starving for this,” said Coach Cathy Nixon.
Utah Valley led early in the first half by as much as 12 before Seattle University caught up with them with 8:50 left in the half.
The lead then toggled back and forth and tied a few times until freshman Kim Bell hit a three-pointer with 1:28 till the break. Utah Valley headed into the locker room with momentum off a buzzer three-pointer by Sammie Jensen, putting them up five into the half, 37-32.
The second half saw the lady Wolverines keep the lead the rest of the game and take that lead to as much as 14 in the second half with 7:52 to play.
Junior Jenna Johnson hit four of her five three-pointers in the last eight minutes of play and led the roster finishing with 29 points and matching her career-high while Jensen finished with a career-high 21 points.
“Probably more than their performance in the game, I’m proud of them for their consistent effort in practice,” said Nixon. “It’s hard to continue to come every day and work hard and stay optimistic when you’re not winning games and I think their effort in practice is what translated into a win today.”
The lady Wolverines will be on the road this week as they play their second conference game of the season at North Dakota on Thursday and then a contest against South Dakota on Saturday.
Fans can see Utah Valley back in home court action on Jan. 27 as they host Chicago State in their GWC home opener.
