Dec. 30, 2006

Box Score

Orem, Utah - After a sluggish start, Utah Valley State got hot in the second half to pick up a come-from-behind victory over Albany, 73-66.

The Wolverines scored 50 second-half points, more than double the 23 they scored in the first half to get the win while erasing a 10-point halftime deficit. Utah Valley ended Albany's five-game winning streak that included a victory over Utah in Salt Lake City earlier this week.

The game also marked the first time since Feb. 16, 2005 in which the Great Danes were ahead at half and lost the game. Albany was 19-0 last season in games it led at half.

"We battled in the first half," Utah Valley State head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "We just couldn't make any baskets. Albany played terrific defense against us."

UV was led by David Heck who scored 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Ryan Toolson added 16 and Matt Peterson scored 11 for the Wolverines.

Albany was led by Jon Iati's 25 points including a career-high seven three pointers while Jamar Wilson added 20.

"Iati was a real load tonight," Hunsaker said. "We knew Jamar Wilson would have a terrific game. He is an excellent guard."

Defense and physical play characterized the early going, with neither team building a lead larger than four points in the first 10 minutes of the game. Joe Walker hit a hook shot to give the Wolverines an 8-4 advantage with 13:45 remaining in the first half.

Utah Valley held the lead for the first 12:15 of the first half. Albany got its first lead when Brent Wilson hit a lay up to put the Great Danes ahead, 12-11 with 7:45 remaining in the period.

With UV clinging to a 13-12 lead, Albany went on a 21-10 run over the final 6:30 to take a 33-23 advantage to the break. The Danes scored nine unanswered points over a two-minute stretch that helped them build the double-digit lead.

Two bench players, Toolson and Walker, led the Wolverines in the first half. Toolson led the way with seven points while Walker chipped in five. Wilson led Albany with 14 in the first half.

It only took Utah Valley 30 seconds to cut the 10-point lead in the half as Heck hit a three pointer and Peter Brown got a fast-break dunk to cut the Great Danes lead to 33-28.

Albany came back with four unanswered points before Peterson got hot for the Wolverines. Behind 37-28, UV went on a 14-5 run to tie the game at 42. Peterson scored nine of the Wolverines 14 points over the stretch.

After Albany re-gained a four point lead with back-to-back three-pointers by Jon Iati, the Wolverines stayed hot. Toolson hit a three with 7:45 remaining to give UV a 52-50 lead. The lead was the Wolverines first since the 7:45 mark in the first half.

With the game tied at 52, Utah Valley went on a 9-1 run to build a game-high, eight point lead at 61-53 with 3:32 remaining in the game. The lead proved insurmountable as the Wolverines made foul shots to hold off the Great Danes down the stretch.

"We played with a lot of competitive spirit, energy and fight in the second half," Hunsaker said.

Utah Valley State remains at home as it hosts UMKC Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the McKay Center.