VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — Utah Valley used a decisive 27-point third quarter to pull away from Texas-Arlington and earn a 77-60 women’s basketball victory Saturday at the UCCU Center. The Wolverines, who trailed by four at halftime, outscored the Mavericks 27-7 in the pivotal period. Halle Nelson led Utah Valley with 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Amanda Barcello added a game-high 25 points. Kira Reynolds scored 17 points for Texas-Arlington, which saw its two-game winning streak against Utah Valley this season snapped. The Mavericks fell to 10-17 overall, while the Wolverines evened their record at 12-12. Attendance was 584.

VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled the Utah Valley Wolverines to a decisive 77-60 victory over the Texas-Arlington Mavericks in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at UCCU Center. The Wolverines, who evened their season record at 12-12, outscored the Mavericks 27-7 in the pivotal third period, transforming a narrow four-point halftime lead into an insurmountable advantage. The Mavericks fell to 10-17 with the loss. The game’s complexion changed entirely after halftime. Utah Valley emerged from the locker room with intensified defensive pressure, forcing a series of costly Texas-Arlington turnovers and capitalizing with efficient offense. The Wolverines opened the second half on a 13-2 run, highlighted by a layup and free throw from Halle Nelson and a 3-pointer from Kylee Mabry, to seize control. Texas-Arlington, which had led 35-31 at the break after shooting well in the first half, went ice cold. The Mavericks managed only seven points in the entire third quarter, missing 10 of their 12 field goal attempts and committing eight turnovers against Utah Valley’s swarming defense. Utah Valley’s star forward Halle Nelson was instrumental in the turnaround, stuffing the stat sheet with 17 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks. Her all-around performance anchored both the offensive execution and defensive intensity that defined the second half. Amanda Barcello led all scorers with 25 points, including five 3-pointers, while Cambree Blackham added 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. For Texas-Arlington, Kira Reynolds scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds, but was hampered by foul trouble and turnovers. Laura Bello contributed nine points, six rebounds and four blocks. The first half was a back-and-forth affair. Texas-Arlington started strong, building an early lead behind Reynolds’ work inside. Utah Valley responded with timely outside shooting from Barcello to keep pace. The Mavericks held a slim 18-16 lead after one quarter and extended it to as many as six points in the second period before Utah Valley closed the gap. The statistical ledger underscored Utah Valley’s comprehensive performance. The Wolverines forced 27 Mavericks turnovers, converting them into 24 points, while committing only 17 turnovers of their own. Utah Valley also dished out 17 assists on 27 made field goals, showcasing superior ball movement. Texas-Arlington’s offensive struggles were quantified by an offensive rating of 76.8 points per 100 possessions, compared to Utah Valley’s efficient 102.1. The victory gave Utah Valley a measure of revenge after two close losses to Texas-Arlington earlier this season, including a 60-59 overtime defeat on Feb. 7. The Wolverines also improved to 8-4 at home. Texas-Arlington, which entered the game having lost four of its last five, continued to struggle on the road, where it is now 3-11 this season. The Mavericks shot just 45 percent from the free-throw line, a critical shortcoming in a game that slipped away due to a prolonged scoring drought. Utah Valley looks ahead to a road trip, facing Tarleton State on Thursday and Abilene Christian on Saturday. Texas-Arlington returns home to host California Baptist on Thursday.

VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — A tight Western Athletic Conference race brings a quick rematch to the UCCU Center on Saturday as the Utah Valley Wolverines host the Texas-Arlington Mavericks in a women’s Division I basketball game. The matchup comes just two weeks after the Mavericks (10-16, 5-8 WAC) edged the Wolverines (11-12, 6-7) 60-59 in overtime in Arlington on Feb. 7. Utah Valley seeks to defend its home court and split the season series, while UTA aims for a crucial road sweep to improve its conference standing. Utah Valley enters with momentum from a 63-61 road win at California Baptist on Wednesday. Cambree Blackham led that effort with 13 points and eight assists, continuing her strong playmaking. In the first meeting against UTA, Blackham scored a team-high 19 points in 42 minutes. Texas-Arlington looks to rebound from a narrow 60-58 loss at Utah Tech on Wednesday. The Mavericks have dropped three straight since their overtime victory over these Wolverines. Guard Nya Threatt has been a consistent offensive threat for UTA, averaging 14.3 points over her last three games, including a 27-point performance at Southern Utah on Jan. 29. The recent history favors the Mavericks, who have won the last two meetings, including a 59-47 decision in January. Both teams have struggled for consistency in a packed middle of the WAC table, making this a pivotal game for postseason seeding. Utah Valley’s offense will run through Blackham, who is averaging 7.2 assists over her last five contests. The Wolverines will need additional scoring from Amanda Barcello and Gracie Sorenson, who combined for 33 points against Cal Baptist. For Texas-Arlington, containing Blackham and improving offensive efficiency late in games will be key after recent close losses. Support for Threatt from players like Kira Reynolds, who had 14 points and two blocks last game, will be essential. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the UCCU Center.