Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

OREM, Utah - Utah Valley jumped out to a quick double-digit lead and never looked back as the Wolverines cruised to a 76-50 victory over New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Saturday afternoon.

With the win, UV (14-14) evens its record for the first time since November. Overall, the Wolverines have won two in a row and eight of their last nine. NJIT falls to 0-29 with the loss.

"I think we have improved defensively throughout the season," UV head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "Nesho Milosevic and Kraig Peters are a pair of tough match ups. I think Jordan Brady, Richard Troyer and Josh Olsen did a tremendous job defensively against those two."

Milsosevic and Peters combined for 48 points in the two teams' first game. The Wolverines held the two to 21 points.

Ryan Toolson led Utah Valley with 22 points in the game. Toolson hit five three-pointers and also dished out a personal career-high eight assists. Jordan Brady recorded his second straight double-double with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The senior power forward also recorded a career-high five steals.

The Wolverines jumped to a 10-point advantage at 18-8 on a Toolson-to-Brady connection with 13:17 remaining in the first half. After UV extended its lead to 15, NJIT went on a 7-0 run cutting the lead to 25-17 with 8:57 left. A Josh Olsen three-pointer minutes later ended the run. The Wolverines finished the half on a 24-8 run capped by a 40-foot Toolson three to beat the buzzer at half. UV took a 49-24 lead to the halftime break.

In the second half, UV's lead hovered around 20 points throughout the period. The Wolverines posted a game-high advantage of 28 on a Jabir Jinna Jr. foul shot with one minute remaining.

The Wolverines have the week off before returning to action next Saturday in its final game of the season. UV will host Cal State Bakersfield at 7:05 p.m. March 1.