Jan. 21, 2008

OREM, Utah - Returning to Orem to play in its first home contest in nearly a month, Utah Valley will face off with fellow Division I independent North Carolina Central University Tuesday evening.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (MT) as the Wolverines and Eagles will meet for the first time. The game can be heard live on AM 1400 KSTAR and online at www.WolverineGreen.com with Steve Watts calling the play-by-play action. Gametracker can also be viewed by visiting www.WolverineGreen.com.

The Wolverines (7-13) are coming off a five-game road trip and an 85-74 win at Cal State Bakersfield. UV started the season with 14 of its first 20 games on the road.

NC Central (1-22) is in its first season at the Division I level as the Eagles have reclassified from Division II. 19 of NCCU's 23 games have been played on the road.

"North Carolina Central plays extremely hard," Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "Coach (Henry) Dickerson is a proven coach whose teams are always well prepared."

NCCU is led in points and rebounds by Charles Futrell who averages 16.0 points and 7.3 rebounds a game while UV is led by Ryan Toolson who ranks eighth in the nation in scoring at 22.8 points per game.

Next after North Carolina Central, Utah Valley will welcome Johnson and Wales to the McKay Center Saturday at 2:05 p.m. (MT)