Utah Valley at CSU Bakersfield
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, 8:00 p.m. MT
Icardo Center  |  Bakersfield, California

Radio/Live Audio: ESPN 960 AM / WolverineGreen.com (Jim McCulloch / Jason Erickson)
Live Video Stream: WAC Digital Network (www.WACSports.com/Watch)

Live Video  |  Live Audio  |  Live Stats

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Orem, Utah—The Utah Valley University men's basketball team continues WAC play on Thursday as the team travels to take on CSU Bakersfield. The game will tip-off at 8 p.m. (MT) and will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network and ESPN 960 AM radio.
 
CSU Bakersfield heads into Thursday night's game with an 8-14 overall record. The team owns a 3-3 mark in WAC play. The 'Runners ride a three-game winning streak into Thursday night's contest. CSUB has also won four of its last five games, including WAC wins over UTPA, Chicago State and Seattle U. The team opened the season losing 10 of its first 11 contests but rebounded by winning seven of its next 11 matchups. The 'Runners head into Thursday's game fresh off a 71-61 overtime home win over Seattle U last Saturday where junior center Aly Ahmed recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Ahmed earned WAC Player of the Week honors for his performance last week.
 
Ahmed leads the Roadrunners in scoring at 14.6 points per game, which ranks him fifth in the WAC. Ahmed's 7.0 rebounds a game ranks him fourth in the conference. He also ranks third in field goal percentage at 50.5 percent. Junior forward Kevin Mays nearly averages double figures at 9.0 points a contest. As a team, CSU Bakersfield is averaging 63.0 points a contest while holding opponents to a 60.7 average.
 
"Bakersfield has been playing very well," said Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker. "They fought through a very challenging schedule. They have a nice balanced inside-out attack and Coach Barnes always has his team prepared."
 
Utah Valley and CSU Bakersfield meet on the hardwood for the 11th time Thursday night with each team winning five games in the series. Utah Valley swept CSUB in their first-ever WAC series last year with UVU taking an 82-74 in Bakersfield and a 64-55 win at home. The Wolverines have won three of the last five contests against the 'Runners. CSUB's last win over the Wolverines was a 73-58 victory on March 9, 2013 in Orem.
 
Utah Valley enters Saturday night's game with an 8-12 overall record. The team owns a 3-3 WAC record with wins over Seattle U, Texas-Pan American and Chicago State. Utah Valley holds a 3-8 record on the road this year.
 
The Wolverines most recently dropped a 66-59 decision to Missouri-Kansas City at home last Saturday. Zach Nelson scored a team-high 16 points to lead the Wolverines in the setback. Nelson scored his 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field. He also pulled down five rebounds and dished out a pair of assists. Mitch Bruneel and Donte Williams were also in double figures with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Bruneel connected on 6-of-13 shots from the field and recorded seven rebounds. Marcel Davis helped with eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
 
Through 20 games this season, Bruneel leads the Wolverines in scoring at 13.0 points per contest and rebounding at 6.3 boards a game. Williams also averages double figures at 10.6 points a contest. Davis fronts the team in assists at 4.05 per game, which leads the WAC. Williams leads the team and league in free throw percentage at an 81 percent clip.
 
Thursday's game will tip off at 8 p.m. (MT) and will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network. A radio broadcast will also be available on ESPN 960 AM.