Dec. 13, 2008
Final Stats
Complete Utah Valley Box Score 
Orem, UT--Idaho State was no match for Utah Valley's Julie McMurray and Robyn Fairbanks double-double performances as McMurray scored 30 points, her second game-high of 30 points for the season, hitting 13-of-21 from the field and posting 10 rebounds. Fairbanks controlled deep under the basket scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds. Idaho State's cold shooting and turnovers sealed the victory for the Wolverines as the Bengals continue to make a solid push in the second half but could not overcome. Idaho State would tie it up 52-52, but would get no closer as they fell 76-65 to Utah Valley Saturday afternoon at the McKay Center.
The Bengals came out with the idea to contain UVU's top scorers McMurray and two-time All American Robyn Fairbanks. Cara Lambert, who made her first collegiate start, and Oana Iacovita held Fairbanks to ten points into the half as she averages 23.6 points. Utah Valley's McMurray was trouble from the start for Idaho State.
McMurray hit 4-of-6 from the field for nine points in just nine minutes of play. She penetrated the inside and hit several uncontested shots including sinking her two jumpers from the wing to start the game. McMurray posted 17 points, in 16 minutes, nearly hitting her game average of 18.4 by the end of the half.
Senior Michelle Grohs started off solid hitting back-to-back threes from the right wing. Grohs led the Bengals into the break with eight points going 3-of-7 from the field, 2-of-3 from the arc and pulling down three rebounds. As Grohs cooled so did the Bengals shooting 100 percent from the field five minutes into play hitting 3-of-3 then dropping to 33.3 percent, 4-of-12 at the half. ISU's cool shooting occurred in the paint too as ISU posted 7-of-19, 36.8 percent.
Idaho State ended the break down 39-28 an 11-point margin. ISU reduced the margin to eight off a layup by senior Jenna Brown. The Bengals switched from double teaming Fairbanks to closing the driving lane into the basket to keep McMurray from the basket.
Idaho State reduced the lead to three points as Iacovita began a 7-3 run off a fall away jumper. Idaho State would score two points off an inbound play as Grohs made a jumper assisted by Devin Diehl. UVU's Kayla Burningham would try to take away ISU's spirits with a three, but Grohs would answer back with a three-pointer to shake up the wolverines. ISU improved to a 47.1 percent accuracy from the field and 50 percent from the arc.
Bengals had four separate possessions to take the lead, but could not convert as the Begnals had two turnovers and two missed shots. McMurray made a fast-break layup to give UVU a bit more cushioning as it lead 52-49 with 8:53 left. Idaho State posted its first tie of the game with a three-pointer from Diehl on the left wing to tie up the scoreboard at 52 each. Diehl's three was her first of the second half.
After Idaho State tied up the score UVU pushed to a full court man-to-man defense until McMurray hit a two from deep in the right corner with seven minutes left. UVU continued on with a nine-point run filled with three ISU turnovers. The Bengals continue to make a strong effort in the second, but turnovers gave Fairbanks extra chances to hit the boards and she took advantage to post 2-for-3 from the field during the run.
It would seem that the Wolverines could do no wrong late into the game as Asumi Nakayama made a charge to the net tripped and fell with the ball falling into the hands of McMurray who took the easy layup. Adams made a final push hitting a back-to-back three pointer and a fast break layup, then pushed for a second layup to draw a foul to go to the line hitting both, reducing the lead to seven down 69-64.
Utah Valley would close out the game at 76-65 ending with two transitional plays outlet pass layups to seal the deal. UVU shot 30-of-61 from the field for 49.2 percent while the Bengals hit 24-of-66 for a 36.4 percent accuracy. The Bengals tied the Wolverines in accuracy at the line both teams hitting 57.1 percent, but with ISU at 8-of-14 and UVU at 12-of-21 at the line.
Turnovers continue to hurt the Bengals as they led 18-to-17, as UVU capitalized posting 22 points off turnover to ISU's 17. UVU also had a strong transition game when given the opportunity posting four points off fast breaks.
Idaho State had three Bengals in double-digits with Grohs leading the team with 16 points, followed by freshman Adams with 14, a career-high, and senior Brown with 11 points. Oana Iacovita recorded the team-high 11 rebounds, five on offense and put down eight total points. Sophomore Cara Lambert who had her first collegiate start played a solid game. Lambert tied her career-high seven points that she set against DePaul. Lambert also posted five rebounds a steal. Her defensive effort against Fairbanks was notable as she held the two-time All-American out of her comfort zone deep under the basket.
Utah Valley kept the Bengals cool on the offense led the rebounds with 23 to 15 in the first half, with Fairbanks recording eight rebounds alone by the half.
The Bengals next game is their third home contest of the year against Saint Mary's of Irvine, CA on Saturday, December 20 at Reed Gym.
