Box Score
Orem, UT - Holton Hunsaker scored 26 points, including 16-16 at the free throw line to lead Utah Valley over Portland State, 93-87. The strong shooting of the Wolverines ended the Vikings' three-game winning streak.

UVU shot .538 from the field for the game, making 13 of 20 in the second half (.650). In addition, they made 33-35 (.943) at the free throw line, including 26-27 in the second half.

Portland State had not given up more than 69 points in any game this season before Utah Valley burned up the nets. The Vikings dropped to 5-3 on the season. Utah Valley improved to 6-5 on the season, 6-0 at home.

The inside play of Nate Lozeau and the newly-eligible Renado Parker carried the Vikings in a first half that was close throughout. Lozeau scored 12 points in the first 13 minutes, while Parker hit his first three shots off the bench.

There were 13 ties and 11 lead changes in the opening 20 minutes. The largest lead on either side was four points as the Vikings shot 48% and the Wolverines shot 47%. A short jumper in the lane by Charles Odum at the end of the half tied it 39-39 at intermission.

The Wolverines pulled away with hot second-half shooting, aided by a handful of Viking turnovers. Isiah Williams hit a baseline jumper, then a driving laying to build a 72-60 lead with 7:40 left in the game. At that point UVU had made 11-16 from the field in the half (.687).

"We had about four straight possessions where we just coughed it up and the defense didn't do anything… it was frustrating," said Head Coach Tyler Geving. "Bottom line is we just weren't very good defensively tonight."
 
PSU played uphill the rest of the way and never regained the lead.

The Vikings trailed 78-64 with 4:14 to play, but went on a 19-7 run to get within 85-83 with 35 seconds left.
Utah Valley held PSU off by scoring their last eight points at the line.

In addition to Hunsaker's 26, backcourt mate Isiah Williams added 20 points.

Portland State got 24 points from Charles Odum. Chehales Tapscott added 17 points and 12 rebounds. Lozeau finished with 17 points as well. Tapscott, Lozeau and Parker combined for 46 points, 24 rebounds and made 17-24 from the field (.708).

The Vikings shot well at .463 from the field and .800 at the line, but made only 1-14 from three-point range.

GAME NOTES: Parker, a transfer, became eligible for the first time as the fall semester at Portland State just ended. He had to sit out one year due to his transfer status… Utah Valley beat the Vikings for the first time ever after losing the first three meetings. Portland State defeated Utah Valley, 73-53, last December in Portland… the Vikings return to the court on Monday at Oregon. Game time is 7 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena. It will be televised on Comcast SportsNet in Portland, and air on Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com.