By Gabby Juarez and Alice Cheatham

OREM, Utah - Jake Toolson scored a game-high 25 points and Richard Harward recorded a career-high 19-point, 16-rebound double-double to lead Utah Valley University to a 103-71 win over Chicago State on 'Salute to Service' night at the UCCU Center.
 
"Having military families tonight was awesome," said Utah Valley head coach Mark Pope. "I am proud of our guys. We shot the living daylights out of the ball in the first half. We shot our way to some energy on the floor. We have a big game Saturday and we're looking forward to coming in and playing better."

Utah Valley University started the game close against Chicago State as both teams played through nine lead changes and two ties. Jake Toolson jumped in the lead early, scoring 17 points after only 13 minutes of playing time. The junior guard sparked an 18-4 UVU run as the Wolverines knocked down six threes over a 2:40 span to jump out to a 45-32 advantage with 3:29 remaining in the first half. The Wolverines then outscored CSU 9-4 over the final three and a half minutes to take a 54-38 lead into the break.
 
Chicago State opened the second half on a 7-3 run to cut the UVU lead to a 14-point 59-45 advantage with 15:10 to play. The Wolverines countered with nine unanswered points to rebuild their lead to 23-points, 68-45, with 11:18 to go. By the middle of the second half, Utah Valley maintained a commanding lead, 82-55, and showed no signs of stopping.
 
Utah Valley shot 16-for-27 from beyond the arc—the second most threes in single game UVU history.  Jake Toolson led the barrage with six threes with Conner Toolson and Isaiah White knocking down three shots apiece.
 
The Wolverines finished 58.7 percent from the field and 59.3 percent from deep. UVU dominated Chicago State in rebounds, 40-21, including a 15-8 advantage on the offensive glass. UVU used that edge to outscore the Cougars in the paint, 36-24.
 
Jake Toolson scored his 25 points on an efficient 8-for-13 shooting from the field. Harward's 19 points and 16 rebounds were both good for career highs for the sophomore. Conner Toolson chipped in 13 points and TJ Washington finished just shy of a double-double, finishing with 10 points and nine assists. White was also in double figures with 11 points. Ben Nakwaasah tied a career high with seven assists to go along with six points and five rebounds.
 
Anthony Harris led the Chicago State with a team-high 15 points. Patrick Szpir contributed to the effort with seven rebounds and six assists.

"Our goal is to win the rest of our games," said Pope. "We are focusing on getting better. We have to get better. We have to get every rep to get to our goal."
 
The win on Thursday night kicks off the three-week countdown until the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas. Utah Valley continues play at home on Saturday night as the Wolverines host Kansas City. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (MST).