Utah Valley vs Seattle University
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2014, 7:05 p.m. MT
UCCU Center  |  Orem, Utah

TV: UVU TV (Jim McCulloch, Matt Peterson)
Live Video: WAC Digital Network (wacsports.com/watch) (Steve Watts, Holton Hunsaker)
Live Audio: WolverineGreen.com (Steve Watts, Holton Hunsaker)

Live Video  |  Live Audio  |  Live Stats

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OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University is set to open defense of its 2013-14 WAC Championship on Saturday night against Seattle University at 7:05 p.m. MT in the UCCU Center. The game will air live on the WAC Digital Network and on UVU TV and ESPN 960 AM.
 
Saturday marks beginning of the Wolverines' (5-9) second season as members of the WAC, after going 13-3 in their inaugural campaign and earning a bid to the NIT, a program first. Prior to Saturday's game, a new WAC Champions banner will be unveiled along with a ring ceremony honoring last year's team.

Utah Valley and Seattle have split eight games all-time, with both teams going 2-2 both in their respective home arenas and on the road. Last year the teams each won the road game in the series. In UVU's win in Seattle, Mitch Bruneel knocked down two free throws with two seconds left to give the Wolverines a 52-51 win. Three weeks later in Orem, Isiah Umipig scored 27 of his 32 points in the second half – hitting seven 3-pointers in the game – as the Redhawks handed UVU its only home loss of the WAC season, 71-57.
 
"Seattle is a veteran team. They came in and beat our championship team soundly a year ago and we know they'll be very confident and excited for the conference opener," UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker said.

The Redhawks (7-7) are coming off of a road loss at Cal State Fullerton, but have won four of their last six overall. Umipig is averaging 17.7 points per game and is one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in the country. He leads the WAC and is second nationally with 4.29 threes made per game while hitting 46.2 percent from beyond the arc, which also leads the league and ranks 19th in the nation. His 60 total 3-point makes ranks third among all Division I players.

Also for Seattle U, Jarrell Flora is averaging 14.1 points per contest while Jack Crook is scoring 7.2 points and grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game. The Redhawks sport the top rebound margin in the league, hauling in 7.1 more boards than their opponents.
 
The Wolverines last played at home on Dec. 30 against Bristol, an 83-50 victory to close out the calendar year. Last week, UVU traveled to SEC country and Fayetteville, Arkansas to face the Razorbacks, who moved into this week's AP Poll at No. 23 and the USA Today Coaches Poll at No. 25. In that game, Utah Valley used a 7-0 run to get within six in the first half but a 15-2 finish to the opening frame gave Arkansas control before going on to win 79-46. Donte Williams had 14 points to lead UVU.
 
WAC play continues for the Wolverines next week when Grand Canyon comes to the UCCU Center on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:05 p.m. MT.