Dec. 7, 2007

Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After playing a closely contested first 15 minutes, UC Santa Barbara's hot shooting took over as Utah Valley fell, 81-61 to the Gauchos.

The preseason Big West top team used a big run at the end of the first half and beginning of the second to build a big lead.

"Santa Barbara is an outstanding team," UV head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "They are experienced and talented. There were things I though we improved upon tonight and some things we still need to work on."

Utah Valley was led by Ryan Toolson who scored 25 points. Jordan Brady was the Wolverines rebounder with eight in the game. True freshman Kevin Woods provided a spark off the bench for UV as he scored a career-high seven. The Gauchos were led by Alex Harris' 25 points.

After Utah Valley opened the scoring with a Toolson three-pointer, UCSB responded with a 7-0 including five early points from James Powell to take a 7-3 lead with 17:05 left in the first half. The Wolverines answered with a 5-0 spurt to cut the Gauchos lead to 9-8 after a Richard Troyer three pointer. UCSB responded with a 4-0 run and the two teams traded baskets throughout the rest of the half.

A Toolson put the Wolverines within two points at 23-21. However, UCSB scored five straight to maintain its lead. UV made another 5-0 run courtesy of another Toolson triple to cut Santa Barbara's lead to 31-28 with 3:10 left in the half. The Gauchos finished the half on an 8-0 run including making 5-of-6 foul shots during the stretch to take a game-high 11-point advantage to the break at 39-28.

Toolson led UV with 14 points at the break while Jordan Brady had four points and four rebounds.

After Utah Valley cut UCSB's lead to nine with 17 minutes remaining, the Gauchos went on an 18-7 run to open a 20-point lead at 59-39 with 11:25 left.

The Wolverines return to home next week when they will face off against Boise State Thursday evening. Tip off at the McKay Center is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.