OREM, Utah—Utah Valley defeated CSU Bakersfield 70-58 in Western Athletic Conference women's basketball action Thursday night.

The first half was called extremely tight as five of the eight CSUB players who saw action were whistled for two fouls. The teams combined for 20 fouls (12 for the 'Runners) and 25 free throw attempts as the Wolverines (8-14, 2-5 WAC) led 34-29 at half. 

The 'Runners (15-7, 4-3 WAC) cut the UVU lead to 36-31 early in the second half, but the Wolverines responded with a 12-5 spurt that pushed the advantage into double digits. The Utah Valley lead stayed between nine and 12 points for most of the next 10 minutes. CSUB chipped away at the lead, getting to within four, 57-53, with just over five to play.

“We played well in spurts, and tried to make some runs, but the execution wasn't there,” said CSUB head coach Greg McCall.

The Roadrunner shooting went cold as CSUB went 1-for-5 from the field in the final five minutes of the game, making two turnovers.  Utah Valley was 3-of-3 down the stretch including a pair of three-pointers.

The teams would go to the free throw line 51 times for the night. The 'Runners were 20-of-29 from the charity stripe while Utah Valley went 17-of-21 from the line.  The Wolverines outshot the Roadrunners 42.9% (24-56) to 35.3% (18-51). CSU Bakersfield committed 14 turnovers which Utah Valley turned into 16 points.  

Mariah Seals led all scorers for the Wolverines with 20 points. Rhaiah Spooner-Knight scored 18 while Deijah Banks posted 11. Karlee Norris added 10 for UVU. Tyonna Outland (R-Sr., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half to pace the Roadrunners. Batabe Zempare (Jr., Accra, Ghana, Scottsdale Chapparal HS) charted her ninth double-double of the year with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

“We need to do a better job of doing those things against teams that we are supposed to beat,” McCall said. “We will do a better job.”

CSUB concludes a three-game road trip at Grand Canyon Saturday night. The game will get underway at 6 p.m. (MST). The Roadrunners return home Feb 12 for a 7 p.m. game against Texas-Pan American. Tickets are available at vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~