OREM—Fardaws Aimaq recorded his nation-leading 17th double-double of the season with 15 points and 14 rebounds while Connor Harding added 12 and Le'Tre Darthard 11 to lead Utah Valley to a 58-41 win over Lamar on Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center.
 
Utah Valley improves to 13-6 overall and 4-3 in WAC play, while Lamar falls to 2-17 overall and 0-8 in league play.

"Obviously it was a game where the temp changed throughout the game at different times," said Utah Valley head coach Mark Madsen. "I was proud of our players. I think that you have to give Lamar a lot of credit. They played with a lot of tenacity and determination. Early in the game they were beating us on the offensive boards but our guys came back and really took control of the boards in the second half. When its all said and done you have to make plays to win basketball games. We made plays today. We battled and fought. Lamar's record doesn't reflect how good they are. They've battled through a lot of adversity this season and they are very well coached."
 
The two teams played to an 8-8 tie through the first five minutes of the game before the Wolverines went on an 22-3 run over the next 12 minutes, culminating with an Aimaq dunk and a Darthard three as UVU took a 30-11 lead with 3:33 to play in the first half. Lamar then scored five of the final seven points as the Wolverines took a 32-16 lead into the break.
 
Darthard put in a bucket to give Utah Valley a 36-18 lead three minutes into the second half. Lamar then went on an 11-3 run to cut the UVU lead to 10 points, 39-29, with 10:30 remaining in the game. The Wolverines responded with seven unanswered points to extend their lead to 17 points, 46-29, with eight minutes to play. The two teams played even the rest of the way as UVU secured the 58-41 win.
 
Aimaq did most of his damage at the free throw line where he knocked down 11 of 12 shots en route to his 15 points. He also pulled down 14 rebounds with two assists, one block, and a steal.
 
Harding scored his 12 points on 3 of 5 shooting, including a pair of threes. He also had three rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Darthard was also in double figures with 11 points, connecting on 3 of 7 shots, including one from long range. He also had three rebounds with a pair of assists.
 
Asa McCord came off the bench to score six points, while Blaze Nield and Tim Fuller each had five.
 
As a team, Utah Valley shot 40 percent (14-39) from the field, including a 31 percent (5-16) mark from beyond the arc. The Wolverines held Lamar to 27.9 percent (17-61) shooting from the floor and a 0 of 9 mark from long range. The Wolverines outrebounded Lamar 43-34.
 
Utah Valley now heads out on the road as the Wolverines travel to the Windy City to take on Chicago State on Thursday, Jan. 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and over the air waves on ESPN 960 AM radio. UVU's next home game will be Feb. 10 against Grand Canyon.