OREM, Utah – Five different Wolverines finished in double figures including Kenneth Ogbe who dropped in a game-high 22, and the Utah Valley University men's basketball team defeated current WAC leader New Mexico State, 86-79, on Thursday night at the UCCU Center.
 
The win pushed UVU to 18-8 for the year and 7-3 in conference play. It also marked the highest win total of head coach Mark Pope's tenure at Utah Valley, improving upon last season's win total of 17. The loss for New Mexico State was its first in conference play and snapped an 11-game winning streak. The Wolverines won the rebounding battle 27-25 and outshot the Aggies with a mark of 58 percent to their 55 percent clip.
 
"It was really important for us to win this game. We know how good New Mexico State is and they're dominating our league right now," Pope said. "Our guys really battled tonight. The fact that we outrebounded them is remarkable because they're one of the best rebounding teams in America. Our guys battled and fought the whole time and made courageous plays. It was a special night for us, but we have to continue to build on it."
 
New Mexico State opened the game with back-to-back threes to claim a 6-0 lead, but Utah Valley took the next-six points to even up the score. After both teams traded a few more baskets, the Aggies rattled off seven straight to go up by seven.
 
Utah Valley kept things close as Jerrelle DeBerry came off the bench to hit a three and Brandon Randolph completed a three-point play just moments later. Jake Toolson then tied the game with a three of his own on the next trip down the floor for the Wolverines.
 
Randolph and Zach Nelson proceeded to take over the next phase of the game for UVU. Randolph scored eight of 11 points for the Wolverines through the stretch and Nelson scored the next seven including a shot from long distance. The burst from the two seniors led to as high as a six-point lead for Utah Valley.
 
New Mexico State threatened to tie or take the lead several times for the remainder of the half, but Ogbe hit a three as the horn sounded and UVU took a 41-37 lead into halftime. Randolph's 11 points led the Wolverines for the half while Jake Toolson added nine. Nelson and Ogbe also contributed seven points apiece.
 
NMSU chipped away at the deficit coming out of the break and took over the lead just moments into the period. DeBerry then came off the bench to score five quick points for Utah Valley as it reclaimed its lead. Both sides continued to trade baskets and leads.
 
With the Aggies holding a three-point lead and eight minutes to play, UVU pulled off an 8-2 run and claimed a three-point advantage of its own. Conner Toolson blocked a 3-point shot on the defensive end that led to an Ogbe three in transition to grab the lead for the Wolverines. Conner Toolson then hit his own shot from distance followed by a layup by Ogbe to pace UVU on a 10-0 run and give it an eight-point lead.
 
Ogbe preserved the lead for UVU as New Mexico State pulled within four and he hit a clutch three to push the lead back to seven. The Aggies then pulled within five and he threw down a thunderous dunk to keep it a three-possession game. Randolph and DeBerry then hit their free-throws in the closing seconds as Utah Valley closed out the game.
 
Ogbe's 22 points guided the Wolverines and he also pitched in two rebounds and three assists. Randolph finished his night with 17 points and three assists while Jake Toolson poured in 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. DeBerry came off the bench to score 14 points and Conner Toolson scored 10 points with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
 
Isaac Neilson was held scoreless but made his impact on the defensive end where he blocked two shots, collected two steals and pulled down four rebounds. Nelson finished the game with nine points and two assists. Ben Nakwaasah also came up big defensively with a key steal and two rebounds.
 
The Wolverines stay at home for their next contest with UTRGV on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the UCCU Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the game can be watched live via the WAC Digital Network. Utah Valley will then hit the road to take on CSU Bakersfield and Grand Canyon.