Devoe just gets better and better

OREM — Utah Valley State junior center Ben Devoe followed up a career night Jan. 11 against Texas-Pan American with another career-best effort Saturday night on the road against Northern Colorado.

After tallying then career highs of 10 points and eight rebounds against the Broncs, Devoe surpassed his best-ever performance with 22 points and 15 rebounds versus the Bears.

"I thought he was more competitive," said Wolverine head coach Dick Hunsaker. "I was very happy for Ben. He can tuck this under his bed."

Devoe struggled earlier in the season, at times disappointing Hunsaker. The Wolverine coach even decided to bench Devoe at the beginning of last week's game because of relaxed and lackadaisical efforts during shootarounds prior to the game.

The game was the first of the season in which Devoe didn't start, and the discipline apparently woke the sleeping big man.

"I was just trying to do what I could do and stay in the post more," Devoe said.

His breakout games have been well-timed. Wolverine leader Ronnie Price struggled during Saturday's overtime game, scoring just 14 points on 4-of-21 shooting from the floor. Without Devoe's contributions, the Wolverines would not have picked up their first road win of the season.

Utah Valley (7-9) held a two-point lead in the final seconds, but Northern Colorado's Kirk Archibeque scored with 3.9 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

"We shouldn't have been in overtime,' Devoe said. "I shouldn't have let Kirk finish that shot."

The Wolverines now return home for a three-game stand with contests tonight versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Saturday versus IPFW and Tuesday versus Idaho State.

If Utah Valley State continues to dominate at home, the Wolverines have a good chance of improving its record to .500 or better for the first time this season.

"We're getting better every game," Hunsaker said. "If we keep that attitude and resolve, then great things will come."

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The Wolverines are currently taking advantage of a two-week break after losing to New Mexico 69-29 on Jan. 13. Utah Valley (2-15) next plays Northern Colorado on the road on Jan. 29.

WRESTLING: After defeating Portland State 28-21 last week and competing in the Sun Devil Duals at Arizona State on Monday, the Wolverines face off against Western State tonight in Gunnison, Colo.

TRACK AND FIELD: The Wolverines opened their indoor season on Thursday and Friday with a meet at BYU's Smith Fieldhouse. Utah Valley's athletes logged two school records and several first-place finishes during the two-day meet.

Markio Nakashima broke the school record in the pole vault with a jump of 3.35 meters. Gavin Shaw set a school mark in the weight throw with a toss of 18.70 meters.

Kari Snow finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.12 seconds. Darcy Gribble finished first in the 3,000-meter run at 11:07.68, while Amanda Olsen finished first in the mile run at 5:11.

Utah Valley is back in action on Jan. 22 in an indoor meet at Weber State.