The Utah Valley University women’s basketball team (6-23, 3-15 Western Athletic Conference) hosted Utah Tech University (18-11, 10-8 WAC) in their final home game of the season. It was Senior night for the Wolverines, however, they fell short 71-59.
UVU had four players in double figures; Shay Fano led all scorers with 14 points and 10 rebounds to post a double-double. Both Ally Criddle and Kaylee Byon put up 13 points each. Eleyana Tafisi made an impactas she ended with 11 points and 5 assists.
The Wolverines were the first to score by a forced turnover that led to a layup on the other end by Fano. The Trailblazers didn’t wait to respond as they went on an 8-0 to go up six. Byon and Fano knocked down back to back triples to help stop the momentum but it wasn’t enough as Utah Tech went on another run to end the quarter up five,21-16.
Through the entire second quarter the Trailblazers were able to keep the lead despite being held scoreless for 7 minutes. The Wolverines were able to bring the game within one at the very end of the half off of two consecutive layups from Tafisi and Byon.
The Wolverines were able to take the lead for the first time to start the second half as Fano knocked down two free throws. The game remained tight as both teams fought hard.
UVU was only able to retake the lead one more time in the remainder of the contest before Emily Isaacson caught fire at the end of the third quarter that led into the fourth. With back-to-back triples in the fourth quarter, Utah Tech went on a 12-2 run that put the game out of reach with 4:26 remaining.
Isaacson shot 9-10 in the fourth quarter, spoiling senior night for the Wolverines. It was a tough loss for UVU as they were handed their 23rd loss of the season and will enter the WAC tournament as the lowest seed (#12). They will look to face (#5) Utah Tech once again Monday, March 6th at 2pm MT. This game will be played in Las Vegas for the first round of the tournament and it will be streamed on ESPN+.
