OCR Text |
Show /port/ MONDAY" All Women's basketball season in full swing Phillip Morgan Sports Writer Young Wolverines lose season opener As the old adage goes, experience comes through trials. The UVSC women's basketball team realizes that gaining experience may take some time, after letting an early lead slip in their home opener to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, losing 84-77. "I told the girls that experience comes if you learn," UVSC Head Coach Cathy Nixon said. "We don't want to have one game experiences 28 times." The young Wolverines played well in the first half, slowly stretching out to an eleven-point advantage late after freshman Mallory Schott hit the tail end of two free throws. UVSC led 40-31 after the initial 20 minutes. But in the second half, Jacksonville State came out on fire, shooting 5-for-11 from the field during a stretch that cut the Wolverine lead to just three. 17 turnovers then killed any momentum UVSC could muster throughout the rest of the game, as the Gamecocks exploded for 53 points in half number two led by Rebecca Haynes. Haynes topped all scorers with 24 points on 7-11 from the field. She also contributed 14 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals. "We have a lot of young players," said Nixon. "For seven kids on our team, that was their first Division-I game." Two freshman with break-out debuts were shooting guard Sandy Marvin and center Robyn Fairbanks. Marvin hit two big three-pointers to keep UVSC ahead by one when all the momentum had swung in the Gamecock's favor. "We were pretty dry and weren't getting many shots," said Nixon in reference to the cold spell. "Marvin came in and kept us in the ballgame. Without those shots, this game could've gotten out of hand earlier than it did." Fairbanks had 15 points and 11 rebounds at the half; but in the second, the Gamecocks stepped up their defensive presence, allowing the Raymond, Alberta native just three field goal attempts during the final 20 minutes of play. Overall, Marvin scored 14, all four of her buckets coming from behind the three-point arch. But Fairbanks was the go-to player throughout the game scoring a team-high 21 point (including a three-pointer), and recorded her first career double-double by bringing down 19 rebounds. "They took away our aggression, and we turned the ball over 26 times and we gave up 26 offensive rebounds," said Nixon. "We're putting ourselves in a pretty tough situation, but if we can learn from it and continue to progress, we'll be a better team." Rebekah Fales chipped in ten for Utah Valley. ••• UVSC VS. Air Force Academy The Air Force Academy used a 29-4 first half run to build a 26 point lead at the half, on their way to a 97-70 victory over UVSC. The Falcons connected on eight of their 12 three-point attempts, and were 18-30 from the field in the first half. The Wolverines clawed back to within 13 in half number two led by Robyn Fairbanks with 20 points and seven rebounds, but Air Force was able to fight off the rally. "They just shot the lights out," said Nixon. "I think when teams are on fire like that, you have to be working just to try to keep it close." Pamela Findlay led four Falcons in double figures with 17 points on 5-8 from the three-point stripe. The loss dropped Utah Valley to 0-2 on the year. Murdock Hyundai Grand Opening Celebration WE'RE LEASE G I V I N G AWAY A ON ANEW CAR! Bring this coupon in to get a Key to a brand-new Elantra! if your key starts the car, you win a one-year lease! '06 TUCSON $19,350 MSRP - $1,500 Rebate $17,850 or $267' per month! '06 SONATA $17,999 MSRP - $2,500 Rebate por month! Get in on the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty! '"OIK- yiA' 'i.\t 0o [lit: 273 South State, Orem (801)226-8194 Will \w U-Rp n i r Buy, sdl or exchange y ^ Search for ^ewhousin r. t4r f, f 1UJ C abeaii |