By Jason Erickson

LAS VEGAS—Fardaws Aimaq scored 20 points and Blaze Nield added 12 to lead Utah Valley to a 69-47 win over No. 10 Chicago State in the opening round of the WAC Tournament on Tuesday night at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
 
Utah Valley improves to 20-11 overall and moves on to the second round of the WAC Tournament to take on No. 6 Abilene Christian on Wednesday night at Orleans Arena. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. MT
 
Chicago State took an early 5-4 lead two minutes into the game before Utah Valley responded with a 9-3 run with an Aimaq three and a baby hook shot to give the Wolverines a 13-8 advantage with 16 minutes to play in the first half. With UVU holding a 22-14 lead at the 8:32 mark, Chicago State used 15-4 run over the next five minutes to take a 29-26 lead with 3:05 remaining in the half.  The Wolverines outscored CSU 6-0 over the final 2:19 of the half to take a 32-29 lead into halftime.
 
After exchanging buckets to open the second half, Utah Valley went on a 23-3 run over a 8:46 span, culminating in back-to-back Trey Woodbury buckets to give the Wolverines a 57-35 lead with nine minutes to play. The lead would be enough to secure UVU the 69-47 win.
 
Aimaq scored his 20 points on a 7 of 11 clip from the field, including a perfect 2 of 2 mark from long range. He also knocked down 4 of 6 free throw shots. Big Maple also pulled down six rebounds on the night.
 
Nield scored his 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting. He also dished out six assists and pulled down three rebounds in 22 minutes of play. Justin Harmon scored seven points, while Tim Fuller added six points with a pair of blocks. Le'Tre Darthard, Connor Harding, and Trey Woodbury each pitched in with five points. Woodbury checked into the game at the 12:15 mark of the first half for the first time since scoring 34 points in the WAC Tournament semifinals against New Mexico State last season.
 
Utah Valley shot 49 percent (25-51) from the floor, including a 6 of 11 mark from long range. UVU held Chicago State to a 28.6 percent (18-63) mark from the field, including a 25.9 percent (7-27) clip from three. UVU outrebounded the Cougars 41-30.
 
Utah Valley has a quick turnaround as the Wolverines will continue tournament play on Wednesday against No. 6 Abilene Christian. Tipoff at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas is set for 8:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and on ESPN 960 AM radio.