Bulldogs fall at Utah Valley State

Robyn Fairbanks scored 29 points – including 15 in the second half when the Wolverines broke open a close game – and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead Utah Valley State past Gonzaga 94-73 on Monday in Orem, Utah.

Vivian Frieson led Gonzaga (8-6) with 20 points and eight rebounds. Jami Bjorklund chipped in 16 points, while Courtney Vandersloot had 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

The Bulldogs, down just 73-68 with 6:09 left, went dry after a jumper by Bjorklund cut the Wolverines’ lead to five. GU went scoreless the next five minutes as UVS pulled away.

Gonzaga shot 43 percent from the field, but went to the line a season-low two times, sinking both. UVS had a huge 50-28 rebounding advantage.

Sandy Marvin added 23 points for Utah Valley State (12-3).

(1) Connecticut 82, Army 33: Mel Thomas scored 19 points and showed off her long-range game as the Huskies opened their second week as the top-ranked team in the nation by routing the Black Knights at Hartford, Conn.

Thomas hit her first seven shots, five of them 3-pointers, and UConn (11-0) put away Army (6-6) early in this New Year’s Eve matinee, opening the game with a 17-3 run.

Army scored the next eight, but the Huskies responded with a 14-2 spurt and were not challenged again. They led 47-15 at the break, and sat their regulars for much of the second half.

Army was led by Cara Enright’s seven points.