KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Utah Valley's second-half surge fell short in a 68-63 loss on the road at Kansas City. The Wolverines fell behind by 16 points in the second half before regaining the lead in the final minute but were outscored 7-0 to end the game. The loss drops UVU to 7-10 on the season, including 1-1 in conference play. The Roos improve to 9-7 on the year and 2-0 in WAC play with the win.  

"We did not come out aggressive and we dug ourselves a big hole being down 16 in the second half," said Utah Valley head coach Mark Madsen. "I was very proud of our guys in the second half but all in all we have to be better and take care of the ball. We made some adjustments with what they were doing defensively to battle back but we need to be better at finishing games."

Casdon Jardine hit a three to open the game before Kansas City surged ahead with a 21-4 run to take a commanding 21-7 lead with 10:07 to go in the opening half. The Wolverines scored the next six points to cut into the lead, making it 21-13 8:39 to go in the half. Both teams battled back and forth and Isaiah White hit a jumper to bring the score to 30-19 at the half.  
 
Emmanuel Olojapoke hammered home a dunk to start off the second half but the Roos responded with a 11-4 run to extend its lead to 41-25 with 16:18 to go in the game. TJ Washington and Jardine led a furious Wolverine come back as it went on an 18-4 run to cut the lead to 45-43 with 9:54 remaining in the second half. Both teams exchanged buckets before Washington hit a pair of free throws with 3:40 remaining to give the Wolverines its first lead, 57-56, since the opening minute of the game. Olojapoke extended the lead to 61-58 before a Kansas City and-one tied the game again with under two minutes to go. White hit the go-ahead layup with 1:20 to go to give Utah Valley its final lead of the game, but the Wolverines would go scoreless in the final minute. The Roos scored the game's final seven points to come away with the 68-63 win.
 
The Wolverines shot just 19-55 from the field, including 21.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Wolverines knocked down 21-26 free throws and outrebounded the Roos 37-34. UVU added eight steals and seven blocks but were hindered by 18 turnovers.
 
Averette led five Wolverines in double figures with 16 points on a pair of threes to go along with four rebounds. Washington added 13 points and Isaiah chipped in 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Jardine and Olojapoke added 10 points apiece and Olojapoke blocked three more shots.

Utah Valley travel to Washington to take on Seattle U on Saturday, Jan. 11. The game will tip at 8:00 P.M. MT and will be broadcasted on the WAC Digital Network and ESPN960 AM. The Wolverines then return home to take on New Mexico State on Jan. 16 and UT Rio Grande Valley on Jan. 18 in the UCCU Center.