Dec. 31, 2007

Box Score

OREM, Utah - A Utah Valley run late in the first half that carried over into the second led the Wolverines to a 73-61 victory over the University of San Francisco.

UV shot 48 percent from behind the three-point line while hitting a school-record 13 three-pointers. Ryan Toolson tied a school record, previously set by him, with seven three-pointers. Toolson finished with a game-high 31 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Jordan Brady scored 10 and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. USF (4-10) was led by Dior Lowhorn's 19 points.

"This was a game with two teams that needed a win," UV head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "I am pleased with our effort. The effort and energy was spread throughout the team. San Francisco is a tough team. They have good athletes and are in a transition period right now."

The game was even in the early going with each team shooting well in the first five minutes. A jumper by USF's Dior Lowhorn gave the Dons a 15-13 advantage with 13:54 remaining in the first half.

Down 28-25 with 4:13 remaining in the half, the Wolverines closed the half on a 15-5 run capped by a Josh Olsen steal and coast-to-coast driving layup to give UV a 40-33 halftime advantage.

UV started the second half like it finished the first, extending the lead to double figures at 50-39 on a Jordan Swarbrick lay up with 15:13 left in the game. Later an Olsen three-pointer gave the Wolverines a game-high advantage of 18 points at 60-42.

The Wolverines and Dons traded runs over the final eight minutes with UV maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the final minutes of the game. Toolson's three-pointer with 4:43 remaining in the game set the team and individual three-point records.

"(Utah Valley) is a really excellent shooting basketball team," USF head coach Eddie Sutton said. "They are one of the best shooting teams I've seen in quite some time."

UV will now start its longest road trip of the season as the Wolverines head to Troy, Ala. to take on Troy University on Saturday. Game time is 6 p.m. (MT)