OREM—Brandon Averette scored a game-high 19 points and TJ Washington added 16 more to lead Utah Valley to an 80-65 win over Antelope Valley on Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center.
 
The win wraps up non-conference play for the Wolverines. Utah Valley (6-9) now begins WAC play on Thursday at Chicago State.
 
Utah Valley got off to a quick start, outscoring Antelope Valley 14-2 over the first three minutes of the game. The two teams then played even over the next 12 minutes as UVU hung on to a 37-25 lead with 4:18 to play in the first half. UVU then outscored the Pioneers 6-4 over the final 3:30 to take a 43-29 lead into the break.
 
The Wolverines opened the second half by knocking down their first five shots through the first 4:30 of the second half to take a 58-39 advantage. Antelope Valley countered with a 12-4 run to cut the UVU lead to a 62-51 advantage. The Wolverines then scored six unanswered points to jump out to a 68-51 lead with seven minutes to play. UVU outscored the Pioneers the rest of the way to hold on to an 80-65 win.
 
Averette scored his 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including a 4-of-4 mark from the free throw line. He also dished out four assists and pulled down a pair of rebounds. Washington scored his 16 points on 4-of-8 shots from the field, including a pair of threes. He also had four assists and three rebounds.
 
Isaiah White and Casdon Jardine were also in double figures with 15 and 14 points, respectively. White led the Wolverines with nine rebounds.
 
As a team, UVU shot 51 percent from the field while holding Antelope Valley to a 38 percent clip. The Wolverines, who rank second in the nation in blocks had four swats on the day.
 
Utah Valley now opens WAC play on the road next week as the team travels to the Midwest to take on Chicago State on Thursday and Kansas City on Saturday. UVU's next home game will be Jan. 16 against New Mexico State.