Wolverines take a win in a physical game

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Wolverines go 2-0 against confernece opponent CSU.

Meeting them for the second time this season, the Wolverines returned to their home court last Thursday to host conference opponent Chicago State.

Early January saw the first meeting between the two teams this season with the result of a 93-82 win for the Wolverines.

Last Thursday’s meeting brought the Chicago State Cougars to Orem wanting another outcome.

But the Wolverines didn’t allow that for their homecoming game and took the victory in a very physical 84-61 game.

“We came out with great energy. We came out very sharp, very crisp,” said Coach Dick Hunsaker. “They [Chicago State] really put a lot of pressure on the basketball and I thought we handled that respectably.”

The Wolverines were the first to hit the scoreboard off a layup by freshman standout Ben Aird. The Cougars answered back with a jumper, but Utah Valley then went on to hold Chicago State scoreless for just over two minutes of play while they were able to give themselves a seven-point lead.

Utah Valley continued to extend their lead and the 2,245 fans in attendance went wild when UVU’s Hometown Hero Justin Baker extended their lead to nine off a dunk.

The Wolverines went into the locker room at the break with a 23-point lead over the Cougars.

Early in the second 20 minutes of play the game turned physical and a half of free throw shots as 36 of the games 58 fouls were called.

The Wolverines were led offensively by junior transfer stand out Isiah Williams with 17 points. Williams was followed by teammates senior Jordan Swarbrick with 11 points and seven rebounds, freshman standout Holton Hunsaker with 11 points and three rebounds, and junior transfer Geddes Robinson with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The conference win puts them 3-1 in the Great West conference and 11-9 on the season going into Saturday’s game against conference opponent NJIT.

The Wolverines will take to the road this week in a two game conference road trip against Texas-Pan American Feb. 3 and Houston Baptist Feb. 5.