Rebuilding season continues with another loss for lady Wolverines

Last Thursday’s game puts Utah Valley 0-4 in conference play.

Cougars from across the country came to town last Thursday to face our lady Wolverines and left town with a win over Utah Valley.

Going into Saturday’s game against NJIT, the lady Wolverines now sit at 0-4 in the Great West Conference and 2-17 on the season.

The competition was a game of turnovers for Utah Valley as Chicago State used the Wolverines’ 26 turnovers and turned them into 25 points, winning by 27, 84-57.

“Basketball is not rocket science,” said Coach Cathy Nixon. “Statistically, if you don’t shoot the ball very well, turn the ball over a lot and give them second chances you’re going to have a hard time being successful and that was the case tonight.”

Falling behind early in the first half, the lady Wolverines couldn’t come back after the Cougars went on a 23-10 run. During the first, the Cougars took their lead to as much as 15.

Going into half time the lady Wolverines sat nine points behind Chicago State.

The second half saw Chicago State extend their lead to as much as 29 in the second half and staying in a far lead the entire 20.

“I think they [Chicago State] are a team of personnel,” said Nixon. “They have a good balance of some quickness and very good shooters and then their inside game is pretty good. I think more than anything it’s probably their experience. They have a calm confidence about them that we don’t have right now.”

Junior Jenna Johnson led the lady Wolverines offensively as she finished with 17 points. Johnson was followed by teammate sophomore transfer Sammie Jensen who finished with 16 points and six rebounds.

The lady Wolverines will take off on a two game road trip this week facing off against Texas-Pan American and Houston Baptist Feb. 3 and 5. Utah Valley will return to home court Feb. 12 to host Texas-Pan American at 4:30 p.m.