Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Utah Valley
Wildcats fall short to Wolverines
12/22/2011 5:22:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OGDEN, Utah - A strong and balanced effort wasn't enough to wipe out a frosty shooting night by the Wildcats.
Hitting just 33.8 percent from the field, the Weber State University women's basketball team dropped a 72-65 decision to in-state rival Utah Valley on Wednesday night at the Dee Events Center.
The Wildcats, who shot just 26.3 percent from the field in the second, cut the deficit to just two points (67-65) late, but the Wolverines closed the game out at the free throw line to improve to 6-5 overall and earn a two-game sweep of Weber State (2-11).
Junior forward Shawnte Taylor and junior guard Megan Patterson each scored 15 points to lead Weber State. Taylor also added seven rebounds and two assist, while Patterson drained three 3-pointers.
Sophomore guard Justine Johnson added 10 points, and sophomore guard Laura Palmere had nine for the Wildcats, who will now have a five-day break for the holidays. Palmere also added a career-high four steals.
The game was deadlocked at 32-32 at halftime, with the Wildcats notching the first four points of the second half before going ice cold from the field. The Wolverines led 50-40 with 13:46 remaining and still led 67-58 with 88 seconds left before Weber State stormed back into the game behind Johnson and Patterson, closing the deficit to two points with 47 seconds left on a layup by Patterson.
Utah Valley, however, hit 5-of-6 from the line to secure the win.
The Wildcats and Wolverines traded leads in the first half, with the contest sitting even at 32-32 at halftime.
The game wrapped up Weber State's non-conference schedule, with the Wildcats now having nine days before opening up Big Sky Conference action on Dec. 31, at Sacramento State.
