PHOENIX, Ariz. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) women's basketball team used a 22-point third quarter to defeat Grand Canyon University (GCU) 66-50 on Saturday at the GCU Arena.
 
UTRGV (8-8, 2-1 WAC) had three players in double-figures scoring led by graduate student Madison Northcutt, who score 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Senior Idil Türkscored 11 points while senior Quynne Huggins chipped in 10 points.
 
Sharon Miller led GCU (4-10, 2-2 WAC) with 24 points and eight rebounds with Laura Piera adding 14 points.
 
UTRGV committed a season-low seven turnovers in the ball game including just one in the third quarter, where it entered trialing 30-27. The UTRGV defense also stepped up in the third quarter holding GCU without a basket throughout the third quarter and just nine points using free throws.
 
GCU got a pair of those free throws to open the third pushing its lead to 32-29 but back-to-back layups by Northcutt and a layup by senior Nichele Hyman gave UTRGV the 33-32 lead with 6:46 left in the third. 
 
Later in the third, a layup by junior Megan Johnson gave UTRGV the lead for good at 38-37. The basket by Johnson kick started a 13-2 run for UTRGV to close out the quarter with them lead 49-39.
 
After a layup by Miller to start the fourth quarter, red-shirt sophomore Amara Graham knocked down a three-pointer to make it 52-41. A couple of free throws got GCU within 58-49 but UTRGV used an 8-1 run to put the game away. 

UTRGV committed four turnovers in the first half and shot 45 percent from the floor to stay close with GCU, who shot 48 percent from the floor, including 60 percent in the first quarter. Northcutt scored eight of her 14 points in the first half helping UTRGV to say within 30-27.
 
UTRGV returns home to host Utah Valley University on January 17 for Back to School Night at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. The first 200 current UTRGV students in attendance will receive an exclusive student giveaway. Students can also enter a raffle to win a UTRGV gift basket with back-to-school essentials. Doors open at 6.

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