Jan. 2, 2007

Box Score

Orem, Utah - Utah Valley State (9-5) got off to a hot start, building a double-digit first half lead en route to a 74-59 victory over UMKC (4-11).

"This was a tough game," head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "UMKC came with desperation trying to right the ship before conference play."

The Wolverines used several big runs in the first half to take a 38-23 advantage at the break. UV's lead reached as high as a 21-point second half advantage.

Matt Peterson and Richard Troyer led the way for the Wolverines as each scored 18 points. Ryan Toolson chipped in 11 off the bench to round the Utah Valley double-digit scorers.

"We have a 10-man team," Hunsaker said. "Every player contributes in their own way. Matt (Peterson) and Richard made some shots that helped spread the zone."

Both teams shot well in the early going. Behind Peterson's hot shooting Utah Valley jumped out to an early lead. UMKC's Quinton Day had three early three pointers in the first 5:20 to help the Kangaroos fight back and jump to a 12-7 lead with 14:40 remaining.

"Day is such a tough player to play against," Hunsaker said. "Josh Olsen and Joe Walker gave us a defensive lift early."

Peterson led a Wolverines' 9-0 run to counter UMKC's spurt. Joe Walker got a pretty pass from Ryan Toolson and finished with a dunk to cap the run and give UV a 16-12 lead.

After two consecutive Kangaroos' baskets, the Wolverines went wild over the final 8:10 of the half. UV finished the half on a 22-7 run to take a 38-23 lead to the break. In its huge run, Utah Valley State had 10-0 and 7-0 spurts to build its double-digit lead.

Toolson scored seven and Troyer added 10 off in the first half off the bench. Peterson led all first-half scorers with 13 including 3-of-4 three pointers. The Wolverines hit 6-of-16 threes as a team and only turned the ball over once in the first half.

"Fortunately, we were able to pick up on our defensive effort and get some shots against their zone," Hunsaker said.

The two teams battled back and forth in the second half with Utah Valley State extending its lead to 21 points on a Troyer three with 14:15 remaining in the game. The Kangaroos came back with a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to cut the Wolverines' lead to 50-38 with 11:20 remaining.

UV responded once again, answering with a 14-5 run to give the Wolverines a 64-43 lead with 4:44 remaining in the game. Utah Valley's lead never dropped below 14 points as the Wolverines withstood UMKC's pressure down the stretch to pick up the win.

"This was a big three-game home stand against three good teams," Hunsaker said. "I was pleased to come away with a 15-point victory tonight."

The Wolverines head back out on the road to play at UC Davis Saturday. Tip time is 8 p.m. (MST)