Utah Valley University defeated Tarleton State 65-51 on Thursday night in Stephenville, Texas, completing a regular-season sweep in the triple round robin conference format. Kaylee Headrick recorded a career-high 19 points and collected 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Cambree Blackham also contributed 19 points for Utah Valley (14-12, 7-8). The win marks Utah Valley’s third victory over Tarleton State (12-15, 6-10) this season.
Halle Nelson added eight points and eight rebounds to the effort, while Gracie Sorenson scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds. The Wolverines finished with a field goal percentage of 44% and converted five out of ten attempts from three-point range.
“It was great to get another road win,” said Utah Valley head coach Dan Nielson. “Our defense really set the tone in the first half. I thought Cambree and Kaylee were very aggressive offensively, and Halle did a great job guarding their post player. Overall, I was really proud of our whole group tonight.”
Utah Valley started strong by shooting 50% from the field in the opening quarter, with Nelson scoring the team’s first four points. The defense forced three turnovers within the first three minutes. Headrick’s offensive rebound late in the quarter led to a Blackham three-pointer that gave UVU a 13-10 lead. Sorenson extended the margin before Tarleton State closed with a corner three-pointer.
Blackham began the second quarter with another three-pointer as Utah Valley went on a nine-point run to build an eleven-point lead midway through the period. Contributions from Sorenson, Headrick, and Blackham pushed the advantage into double digits before halftime. By halftime, Utah Valley had made half its shots from the field and scored most of its points inside.
In the third quarter, Utah Valley regained an eleven-point advantage following baskets by Nelson and Mabry along with free throws by Blackham. However, Tarleton State responded with a nine-point run late in the quarter to reduce UVU’s lead to four entering the fourth.
Headrick’s corner three-pointer early in the final period helped extend Utah Valley’s lead again before a seven-point run put them ahead by fourteen with just over one minute remaining. The Wolverines secured their victory at the free-throw line during closing minutes; Amanda Barcello made all six of her attempts in that stretch.
Utah Valley will continue its road trip on Saturday against Abilene Christian before returning home next week for games against Southern Utah and Utah Tech.
