BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Zach Nelson scored a career-high 26 points to lead Utah Valley in a 72-69 loss to CSU Bakersfield Thursday night at the Icardo Center.
 
Nelson hit a shot from behind half court as time expired in the first half to help cut a 20-point CSU Bakersfield lead to just nine points, 36-27, at the break. Utah Valley continued to chip away at the CSUB lead in the second half, cutting the deficit to just four points, 67-63, with 58 seconds to play. 

The Roadrunners extended the lead back to eight points with 17 seconds remaining but a UVU steal by Marcel Davis and a pair of three-pointers from Nelson cut the CSUB lead to just two points, 71-69, with two seconds to play. The 'Runners then hit a free throw with two seconds on the clock and UVU could not get a game-tying three off at the buzzer.
 
"Bakersfield got a great run going against us in the first half," said Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker. "We fought and we competed but we just could not overcome the deficit that they had built up. Give a lot of credit to Bakersfield."
 
Nelson scored his career-high 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field, including a 4-of-8 clip from long range. He was a perfect 2-for-2 at the charity stripe. Nelson was just one rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards. He also dished out three assists and recorded a block.
 
Mitch Bruneel and Davis were also in double figures with 13 points apiece. Bruneel tallied five rebounds, two steals, one assist and a block in the setback. Davis recorded five assists with two rebounds and a steal. Darrious Hamilton matched a career high with six points and set a career high with six rebounds.
 
Utah Valley out-rebounded CSU Bakersfield 32-24. The Wolverines tallied 14 offensive boards on the night. UVU shot 43.9 percent from the floor compared to a 58.5 percent clip by the Roadrunners.
 
Utah Valley continues WAC road play at Seattle U on Saturday night. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network and will be aired live on ESPN 960 AM.