In their 2026 women’s basketball opener, Utah Valley delivered a strong performance against Tarleton State, winning 74-49 at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah. This victory marked the start of the new year on a positive note for the Wolverines.
Game Highlights
Utah Valley showcased their defensive prowess by forcing a season-high 29 turnovers from Tarleton State, contributing to their scoring with 28 points off these turnovers. The Wolverines ranked third nationally in turnovers forced per game with an average of 28.3 prior to this match.
Key Players
- Shadasia Brackens (Tarleton State)
Led her team with 9 points. - Caroline Lyles (Tarleton State)
Contributed a season-high 8 points and matched her best performance this season with 7 rebounds. - Elodie Lutbert (Tarleton State)
Also scored 8 points, making all four of her shot attempts.
Quarter Breakdown
The match began with Utah Valley forcing five turnovers in the first quarter, although they struggled to capitalize, with Tarleton’s defense making key stops. The Texans even took a one-point lead towards the end of the first period before the Wolverines reclaimed the advantage.
In the second quarter, Tarleton’s offense improved, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Jakoriah Long. The Wolverines managed to extend their lead to 34-27 at halftime after a crucial four-point play.
The third quarter saw Utah Valley dominate, achieving a double-digit lead early on. They enforced a five-minute scoring drought on Tarleton, stretching their lead to 21 points. The Wolverines shot an impressive 60% from the field and 75% from beyond the arc, heading into the final period with a substantial margin.
In the fourth quarter, the Texans struggled, shooting only 27.3% and managing just six successful shots from 23 attempts. This lack of scoring sealed their defeat against a well-rounded performance by Utah Valley.
Upcoming Matches
Following this challenging opener, Tarleton State will continue their Western Athletic Conference (WAC) road trip with an upcoming game against California Baptist on January 3, 2026, at 3 P.M.
Historical Context
This game marked only the second New Year’s Day match in Tarleton State’s program history. They previously faced Utah Valley on the same date in 2022, winning 61-48. With this latest game, Utah Valley now holds a 7-3 historical record over Tarleton.
Freshman guard Jaylynn Perez-Richard also made her mark, scoring her first collegiate basket late in the game. She was the only Texan to finish with a positive +/- at +2.
