Reno, NV — The Utah Valley women’s basketball team was unable to pull off wins in consecutive days, falling to Alabama 67-60 Saturday in their second game of the Nugget Classic in Reno.
The loss dropped UVU to 6-2 on the season and snapped a six-game winning streak for the Wolverines. However, it was the smallest margin of victory for Alabama this season, whose average margin of victory in its first six games was 40 points.
Guards Mariah Seals and Rhaiah Spooner-Knight led the Wolverines with 14 points each, also grabbing five and seven rebounds, respectively. Center Sam Loggins also scored 10 points. Guard Georgia Agnew dished out seven assists for UVU in the losing effort.
Alabama took the lead early and maintained it throughout the first half, leading at halftime 33-25. However, the Wolverines were able to stay within striking distance, with Alabama’s largest lead being just 10.
It was a poor shooting performance from both teams in the first half, with UVU shooting just 31% from the field and 11% from three. The Crimson Tide shot 37% from the field and 10% from three.
The third quarter was a game of runs. The Wolverines used a 16-2 run early in the quarter to take a 41-38 lead, but Alabama came right back with a 10-2 run of their own to lead 48-43 at the end of the period.
The Tide defense clamped down in the fourth, as UVU went almost seven minutes without a basket before a Mariah Seals and-1 ended the scoring drought. Nevertheless, Alabama won the quarter 19-17 to produce the final result.
Alabama guard Breanna Hayden led all scorers with 20 points. Joining Hayden in double digits was Meoshonti Knight and Karlya Middlebrook, with 16 and 12 respectively. Forward Hannah Cook grabbed 10 rebounds for the Tide. Alabama won despite shooting 7% from beyond the 3-point arc. The battle of the boards was tied 37-37.
UVU 73 Nevada 65
In their first game of the Nugget Classic on Friday afternoon, the UVU women’s basketball team extended their winning streak to six games with the 73-65 win over the host Wolfpack.
With the scored tied at 32 at halftime, UVU came out on fire in the third quarter behind the hot hand of Georgia Agnew. Agnew scored 10 of her 16 points in the second half and helped UVU win the third period 26-11 to push the lead to 48-33 going into the fourth.
Despite a late run by Nevada, UVU was able to hold off the Wolfpack and pick up their sixth straight win. Mariah Seals had 13 points, Rhaiah Spooner-Knight had 15, and Taylor Gordon had 11 points for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines are off until Dec 3 when they will travel to Eastern Washington University, tipping off at 7 pm MT.
Photos Courtesy of Mike Richardson
