Wolverines begin 2011 with big win

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Five Wolverines finish with double-digits

To start off the new year, the Utah Valley men’s basketball team took to their court against Haskell Indian Nations University Jan. 4 and came away with a 48-point win, 98-50.

Senior Jordan Swarbrick started the Wolverines off with a 3-pointer to put them on the board first.  Utah Valley had a small five-point lead before Haskell hit the scoreboard.

At the half, the Wolverines had given themselves a 27-point lead against Haskell, 48-27. Junior transfer Isiah Williams led the Wolverines with 14 points and three rebounds. Swarbrick followed with 11 points and four rebounds while freshman Ben Aird put up 10 and brought down six rebounds.

After 10 minutes into the second half, Utah Valley had spread their lead to 41 points and took their lead to as much as 53 with 2:57 to play.

Five Wolverines finished the game in double-digit scoring including two double-doubles by junior transfer Geddes Robinson and Aird. Williams led with 20 points and three rebounds while Swarbrick finished with 17 points, nine of which were 3-pointers, and five rebounds. Robinson put up 15 points and led the team in rebounds finishing with 14. Aird finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

“Haskell, I thought, really came and played with a lot of determination and a lot of effort, with a purpose,” said Coach Dick Hunsaker. “I thought they showed some execution offensively, I thought they worked hard on defense, but eventually we were able to, in our size and overall depth, wear them down. I was very impressed with Haskell and pleased the way we kept our focus and got stronger as the game went on.”

26 points of the Wolverines’ 98 were contributed off the bench, with Shawn Deadwiler finishing with 10 points and junior transfer Keith Thompson with eight.

“I thought overall our team came out and played hard in a game where we knew what this game was about. I told the kids I didn’t know if I needed this game because I have a great group of kids in my locker room, a character group of kids who play and I think are growing as competitors,” said Hunsaker.

The Wolverines will hit home court again on Thursday when they host Seattle University at 7 p.m.