While most of the student body was off visiting their families and eating their body weight in food, the UVU men’s basketball team had some work to do.
The Wolverines went 2-2 over the winter break, with wins coming against Southern Utah University and Norfolk State and losses against Utah State University and Montana State.
The break started Dec. 13 with the Wolverines playing Utah State at home. The in-state rivals proved to be a formidable foe, as UVU lost 69-50.
“A lot of the credit has to go to their defense,” UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker said. “They gave a terrific effort. They were active. They were energized. They were physical. I think the credit goes to them.”
The next match-up was against Southern Utah University Dec. 20 at the McKay Center. SUU was leading at halftime 42-32 and were up eight with 11 minutes to go in the game but the Wolverines went on a 12-0 run and played lights out defense to win the game 78-72.
The next two games were at the Bobcat 6th Man Club GranTree Inn Classic on the campus of Montana State University.
In the first game of the classic UVU played the Spartans of Norfolk State. The Wolverines won easily, 75-68, shooting nearly 55 percent and 43 percent from downtown. This win catapulted them to the championship game of the classic.
The Dec. 29 championship game was against Montana State, who came back from a ten-point deficit at halftime to win the championship in overtime, 70-67.
“It was a tough loss, but we played hard,” Hunsaker said. “We had great defensive energy. I credit Montana State for playing a great game.”
Though UVU lost the championship, there was some consolation. Senior guard Ryan Toolson and junior forward Jourdain Scoubes were named to the All-Tournament Team.
For the season the Wolverines are 7-5 and are looking forward to the second half of the season. UVU is back in action at home Jan. 10 against the University of Texas at Arlington and Binghamton University.
