OREM, Utah – The Utah Valley University men's basketball team knocked down 16 three-pointers and fought off a late run from UC Riverside to earn a 90-82 victory on Thursday night at the UCCU Center.
 
The win improves UVU's overall record to 10-5 and its home record to an impressive 7-1. Utah Valley is now on a three-game winning streak. The 16 made three-pointers is the second-highest total in school history.
 
"It's never easy to win and that's why basketball is so fun. This UC Riverside team is really interesting because their record isn't great, but they have some marquee wins to start the season," said UVU head coach Mark Pope. "I'm really proud of the guys and I'm proud of the win and moving to 10-5. It's a little bit of a landmark win for us in our program and now we're excited to get after it the night after tomorrow."
 
The Utah Valley offense got off to a quick start as it opened the game on 10-2 run. A three from Kenneth Ogbe sparked the run for the Wolverines, and Akolda Manyang tacked on six quick points.
 
UVU shot the ball from three-point range early and often as it connected on seven threes midway through the first half, four of which came from Brandon Randolph. By the end of the half, Utah Valley had knocked down 13 three-pointers--the most threes ever recorded by UVU in a half, breaking the previous record of 12 set in the win at BYU last season.
 
A 17-3 run by the Wolverines extended their lead to 20 with just under seven minutes to play in the opening half. Back-to-back threes from Obge and Ben Nakwaasah capped the run for UVU.
 
UC Riverside made up a little ground with a short 7-2 run, but three-pointers from Conner Toolson on back-to-back possessions pushed Utah Valley's lead to 21 and forced a timeout from the Highlanders. The hot shooting from long distance continued for UVU, and the Wolverines took a 54-36 lead into halftime.
 
Fifteen points from Randolph led the way for Utah Valley in the first half, and Ogbe joined him in double-digit scoring with 11. Conner Toolson finished the half with nine points while Manyang and Nakwaasah had eight apiece. Manyang's five rebounds led UVU on the glass and Isaac Neilson dished out five assists.
 
The Highlanders opened the second half on a 10-4 run to cut the deficit to 12, but consecutive buckets which included a three from Conner Toolson put the margin back to 17. Moments later, Riverside cut the lead down to 11 and Ogbe responded with a big dunk for UVU.
 
With Utah Valley struggling from the floor, Nakwaasah knocked down four free throws and a three but Riverside rattled off a 13-2 run and cut the lead down to five. The Highlanders got as close as four before a layup from Ogbe and dunk by Neilson gave UVU some breathing room. The Wolverines hit their free-throws down the stretch and a dunk from Randolph capped off the win for Utah Valley.
 
Randolph and Conner Toolson shared the team-high in scoring with 20 apiece, and were followed closely behind by Ogbe with 19. Nakwaasah gave the Wolverines a boost off the bench with 16 points and a team-high six assists.
 
Utah Valley now prepares to welcome Cal State Fullerton to the UCCU Center on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m. MST. The rematch with the Titans can be viewed on the WAC Digital Network and heard on ESPN 960 AM. The Wolverines will then open conference play by hosting CSU Bakersfield on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. MST.