Wesley's tip at buzzer wins it for UVSC

OREM — At 6-foot-5, Tika Wesley is an undersized college center. But Thursday, Wesley came off the bench to out-leap two taller opponents and tip in the game-winner at the final buzzer for Utah Valley State in a 67-65 men's basketball victory over visiting North Dakota State.

For Wolverine coach Dick Hunsaker, it was a happy ending to an emotionally charged night.

"When you play the game for 40 minutes, I always take what the final score gives you," Hunsaker said. "I was just so proud and so pleased with our effort."

With the score 65-65 and the clock running down, UVSC guard Pierre Thomas drove right and launched a bank shot that rimmed out.

But Wesley emerged from a crowd of players to tip the ball up and into the hoop for the Wolverines (7-11) just as the final buzzer sounded.

"We drew it up where (Thomas) was going to take it," Wesley said. "I just tried to crash the offensive rebound. The ball came to me, and I got a little tip — a little finger on it —and it went in."

With 3:30 to go, the Bison (10-9) led 60-53 and appeared headed for a comfortable victory.

Wesley, though, resuscitated the UVSC offense with five quick points on a three-point play and a pair of free throws.

A steal and subsequent fast-break slam dunk by Thomas tied the game at 60-60.

With 19 seconds left and North Dakota State trailing 65-64, Bison point guard Ben Woodside went to the line for two free throws and a chance to take the lead. He made only one, tying the game and setting the stage for Wesley's game-winner.

With the win, the Wolverines avenged their 62-51 loss at North Dakota State back on Jan. 5.

Woodside's 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer sent the two teams into halftime tied 26-26.

UVSC struggled mightily from the field for the better part of the second half.

With eight minutes to go in the game, the Wolverines trailed 54-43 and were shooting 2-for-21 from the field in the second half.

Utah Valley, though, compensated for its cold second-half shooting by going 19-for-23 from the free throw line in the second half and turning the ball over only once in the second half.

Wesley, who prepped at Provo High, finished with a career-high 16 points, nine of which came in the game's final three minutes. He shot 10-for-11 from the free throw line.

"My teammates were trying to get me the ball, but my shots weren't really falling," Wesley said. "So my main goal was to try to get to the line. I knew I could make some free throws."

Thomas added 13 points for the Wolverines.

Woodside led all scorers with 24 points. He also had eight rebounds and six assists.

UVSC returns to action Saturday, hosting South Dakota State at 7 p.m.