OREM — After 11 straight road games, the UVSC women's basketball team is still not getting tired of traveling. It is a good thing, too. This week Utah Valley (4-7) will hit the road for a game at Utah State tonight and Boise State on Saturday. Last week Utah Valley played in a tournament at Iowa State.
"I think we are lucky to be able to travel to so many different schools at different levels," UVSC coach Cathy Nixon said. "Each game has taught me something different. As a coach I look forward to each experience."
The experience the Wolverines had last week at Iowa State was memorable. UVSC lost to Texas Southern and Long Island, but that didn't dampen the experience in Ames, Iowa.
"It was a great atmosphere," Nixon said. "We were treated so well. Ames is an awesome little basketball town. Iowa State is a program that does things first class. People were bending over backward to make us feel welcome. Our kids are getting a smorgasbord of how different colleges do things."
As Nixon's squad enjoys the experiences of traveling to schools all across the country, she also looks forward to watching the improvement of her team on the court.
UVSC struggled taking care of the ball last week, turning the ball over 42 times in two games. Against Texas Southern, the Wolverines also missed 26 shots in the paint.
If Utah Valley can eliminate those problems tonight at Utah State, the Wolverines will have a good chance of beating the first-year Aggies program.
"Our focus is on ourselves," Nixon said. "A lot of our challenges are self-imposed. If we can overcome our turnovers and convert on our high-percentage shots, to me those are self-imposed."
Nixon has been impressed with play of Mesa State transfer Liz Kelly. Kelly started at guard on Saturday against Texas Southern.
"She's been playing well," Nixon said. "It was a reward for Liz for her hustle in consistently doing the hustle things every game I'm looking for."
Following Saturday's Boise State game, UVSC will play at home on Jan. 1 for the first time since Nov. 11.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Tonight Utah Valley State looks to improve its record to 4-4 when it hosts Div. II Adams State at 7 p.m. at the McKay Center. Last week the Wolverines picked up two wins in California by beating Bethany College 45-35 and UC Santa Cruz 71-43.
"Anytime you can go on the road, no matter what level, and pick up two wins you always feel better about yourself," UVSC coach Dick Hunsaker said. "We showed signs of progress and improvement."
In order for the progress to continue, Utah Valley will have to stop a very experienced Adams State squad. The Grizzlies (5-4) are coming off a 102-50 loss to No. 11 (Division II ranked) Metro State and a 62-50 loss to Chadron State. Adams State is led by Brandon Brochinsky's 13.3 points per game.
Former UVSC player Brenno Blassioli is averaging 11.1 points.
"They are a team that has a lot of cohesiveness," Hunsaker said. They are very experienced and older. Their top six are returning players. They are a team that is opposite of us."
Following tonight's game, Adams State will play at Westminster on Dec. 18 and 19. UVSC will host Montana Tech on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the McKay Center.