Lady Wolverines fall twice more, but grow stronger

The lady Wolverines wrapped up their pre-Christmas schedule against Boise State falling short 80-71 at home Monday night.

The Broncos of Boise State (8-4) were a little too much for the lady Wolverines (1-10) to handle coming up short on a late rally in the second half.

The lady Wolverines were within one point and kept things close throughout the first 12 minutes of the game; just to see the Broncos go on a 20-11 run into the half capped off by a Broncos 3-point buzzer beater.

The Broncos didn’t stop there, as they continued their dominance from the end of the first half by adding a 7-0 run to start the second half.

The Wolverines down by 17 never gave up. In fact the large deficit seemed to fuel the team, led by Sammie Jensen and her double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds, pulling the game within eight points.

Just nights before Monday’s game against the Broncos, the lady Wolverines squared off against the Roadrunners of Cal State Bakersfield (8-6) at home coming up short yet again in a 81-74 contest.

The Roadrunners jumped to a 15-5 lead and maintained their ten-point advantage during most of the first half outscoring UVU 30-20.

The lady Wolverines’ resilient play paid off going on a 10-2 run, bringing the contest to 33-31 at the 2:54 first half remaining mark. With help from Abbie Beutler’s beautiful assist to Jensen for an easy layup, the Wolverines where well within reaching distance to start the second half.

CSUB was able to grab an early seven-point lead after a Roadrunner three-pointer, but never got higher. They went on to exchange bucket-for-bucket with UVU and top point scorer Jenna Johnson (16) during most of the half in a 81-74 loss.

Coach Cathy Nixon set up a full court press late in the half, bringing the deficit to 6. UVU even forced the Roadrunners to turn over the ball 10 feet from the Wolverine basket, just to see an unforced mistake turn the ball back over the Roadrunners and ultimately end the game.

Sitting at 1-10 isn’t really where the lady Wolverines would like to be sitting going into the Christmas break, but there is no doubt that this young and inexperienced team is getting better and growing stronger every game.

The lady Wolverines will return to the hardwood Dec. 28 and 29 on the road in the Lady Griz Holiday Classic in Missoula, Mont. and will then return home Jan. 1, 2011 to finish the holiday break verses Montana State.