Nov. 13, 2006

Box Score

Orem, Utah - An explosive second half and red-hot perimeter shooting led Utah Valley State to a 74-57 victory over 2005-06 NCAA Tournament team and last years Big Sky tournament champion, Montana.

"This was a hard fought game," Utah Valley State head coach Dick Hunsaker said. " Montana is very physicial, savvy and poised."

The Wolverines (2-0) shot 48 percent from the field and 69 percent from 3-point land while holding the Grizzlies to just 41 percent shooting. Ryan Toolson led UV with 26 points off the bench including 5-for-6 on three pointers. Matt Peterson added 16 points while leading the Wolverines with five rebounds.

"I liked the spirit, attitude and focus we played with," Hunsaker said. "This is a big step in Utah Valley State's Division I basketball life. I have to tip my hat to everyone's performance on the court."

Montana asserted itself inside in the early going, with Matt Dlouhy and Andrew Strait using power to get several easy shots while jumping to a 12-5 lead with 15:10 remaining in the first half. The Wolverines increased their defensive pressure and battled back, cutting the Grizzlies' lead to 17-13 with a Ryan Toolson layup.

The two teams battled closely throughout the first half. Down 21-15, the Wolverines scored six consecutive points to tie the game at 21.

After Montana scored consecutive baskets to take a four-point lead, Utah Valley came back with a 10-2 run to finish the first half ahead, 31-27. Toolson nailed a three-pointer for Utah Valley then scored again on a pretty three-point play. Chris Bailey picked the Grizzlies' Matt Martin's pocket to lead a fast break. Just as the Montana defense close on Bailey he dropped a beautiful behind-the-back pass off to Toolson who scored and got fouled. Bailey finished the scoring in the first half with a floater in the lane to give the Wolverines their first-half lead.

Peterson and Toolson scored 11 apiece to account for two-thirds of Utah Valley's first half points.

"Toolson has good instincts on the floor," Hunsaker said. "There is no question he was able to find shots on the court today."

The second half started how the first ended for the Wolverines. Utah Valley started the half on a 21-11 run. Utah Valley got hot behind the three-point line. Sparked by an ally-oop dunk by Peter Brown, the Wolverines got rolling. Toolson, Peterson and Josh Olsen each hit three balls as Utah Valley opened a game-high 16-point lead.

After the Wolverines built a big lead, they had an answer for nearly every Montana basket. Utah Valley shot 85 percent (6-for-7) from behind the arc in the second half.

With Utah Valley ahead, 52-36, Montana scored four straight points. The Wolverines answer was two three-pointers by Olsen. After another five-point Montana run, Toolson hit another three-pointer to stay ahead.

Utah Valley heads to Pac-10 country as the Wolverines will play at California Wednesday before returning home for a Saturday showdown with Great Falls at 7 p.m. at the McKay Center.