Dec. 5, 2006

Box Score

Kansas City, MO- After suffering a heartbreaking loss on Saturday at Portland State, the Utah Valley State men's basketball team came back and picked up a big 91-79 victory at Mid-Continent Conference foe UMKC on Tuesday. The win improves the Wolverines record to 5-3.

"This was an outstanding team win," Utah Valley State coach Dick Hunsaker said. "Everybody that played contributed to the win. We played with great energy on the second leg of a road trip. That is a great tribute to the team."

The Wolverines finished with four players in double figures, led by 20 points from David Heck and Ryan Toolson. Heck and Peter Brown also grabbed a team best six rebounds.

"I have to give the game-ball to David Heck for the defensive effort he made on Quinton Day," Hunsaker said.

Richard Troyer scored 12 points and Joe Walker had 10 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

As a team UV set school records by shooting 70 percent from the field and 57 percent from the 3-point line. The 91 points was the third most points scored by a Wolverine team and the 33 field goals made was the second most. Utah Valley also tied a school record by connecting on 11 3-pointers.

The Wolverines out rebounded the Kangaroos 29-22. UMKC was led by Day's 24 points.

After trailing 6-4 early, Utah Valley went on an 18-4 run to take a 22-10 lead. From there the Wolverines never looked back. During the run Heck hit two three's while Toolson and Troyer each hit one. The Wolverines opened the game by hitting 13 of their first 14 shots.

Utah Valley maintained its lead and led 29-17 following a Heck 3-pointer with 7:27 left until halftime. Another Heck lay up with 6:59 left upped the margin to 14 points at 31-17.

UMKC then scored eight straight points thanks to two 3-pointers by Day, cutting the Wolverine lead to 31-25 with 4:41 left on the clock. But UV extended its lead by countering with an 11-2 run of its own to lead 42-27 following two free throws by Brown. Joe Walker hit a lay up at the buzzer to give the Wolverines a 44-29 halftime lead.

Utah Valley maintained its double digit lead until six minutes into the second half when Day, Dane Brumagin and Dominique Johnson all hit 3-pointers to bring UMKC within six at 57-51.

Utah Valley State quickly extended its lead to 12 again after 3-pointers from Troyer and Toolson and two free throws from Walker 11:15 left in the game.

The Wolverines biggest lead was 17 at 85-68 with three minutes left and UMKC got no closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

The Wolverines return to the floor for an in-state contest on Saturday December 9 when they host Utah State at the McKay Center. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. All students get in free with ID.