Utah Tech could not solve a stout Wolverine defense in suffering a 74-51 road loss at in-state rival Utah Valley on Wednesday night inside the UCCU Center in Orem. 

How it happened 
Utah Tech (5-19/1-10 WAC) battled back from a nine-point deficit late in the first quarter with seven-straight points, culminating with a Mylee Graham rainbow 3-pointer that made a two-point game at 22-20 at the 8:16 mark of the second period.
 
However the Trailblazers could not draw any closer as UVU (14-10/6-6 WAC) rattled off a 17-2 run en route to a commanding 39-22 advantage with 1:43 to go until halftime.
 
Paige Cofer ended the Blazer drought with a 3-pointer, and the freshman would go on to drain two free throws late in the frame to pull Utah Tech to within 12 at 39-27 at the halftime break.
 
The second half belonged to the Wolverines, who outscored the Blazers 20-6 in the third quarter, and never saw their lead dip below 20 points in the final 10 minutes in claiming the "Old Hammer Rivalry" home win. 
 
Numbers to know
Cofer finished with a pair 3-pointers and went 5-of-5 at the foul line on her way to a team-high 13 points. The freshman also grabbed four rebounds and picked off a career-high three steals.
 
Emily Isaacson was the lone other Blazer to score in double figures as she tallied 11 points to go with five rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot before fouling out.

Graham just missed scoring in double figures as she finished with a career high nine points and three steals in a season high 29-plus minutes off the bench.
 
Utah Tech was held to a WAC season low 25.9 percent (14-of-54) from the floor, which included a 5-of-28 (.179) clip from the perimeter. 
 
However the Trailblazers did connect on a season-best 94.7 percent (18-of-19) at the foul line.
 
UVU guard Amanda Barcello led all scorers with 22 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting with six 3-pointers.
 
Utah Valley shot 37.7 percent (20-of-53) on the night and went 7-of-16 (.438) from beyond the arc. The Wolverines also outrebounded Utah Tech by slim 39-37 margin, and forced the Trailblazers into a season-high tying 31 turnovers, which resulted in 21 steals and 29 UVU points.
 
Up Next
Utah Tech returns home for its penultimate home game of the 2024-25 season this Saturday afternoon when the Trailblazers play host to Abilene Christian. Tip-off inside the Burns Arena is set for 2 p.m. (MT).