Wolverines pick up historic road win

BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Utah Valley State men's basketball team picked up its first-ever road win over a Big Sky Conference team as it beat Montana State 60-53 on Saturday. The win ups the Wolverines' record to 6-4 while Montana State drops to 2-9.

"I am real pleased with the effort our team gave tonight," Utah Valley State coach Dick Hunsaker said. "They gutted out the win. Montana State's defense had a lot to do with our subpar shooting."

Utah Valley shot only 36 percent from the field for the game and was led by Ryan Toolson's 14 points. Toolson was a perfect nine-for-nine from the free-throw line. Matt Peterson added 10 points and was 3-of-3 from the field. Richard Troyer came off the bench to score nine points and grab nine rebounds.

The Wolverines' defense held Montana State to 38 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers. Nick Dissly was the only Bobcat in double figures as he finished with 29 on 10-of-16 shooting.

Despite the lackluster shooting, Montana State never allowed Utah Valley to blow the game open.

"The Montana State players played with a lot of fight and vinegar," Hunsaker said.

With Montana State leading 7-6 four minutes into the game, the Wolverines went on a 12-0 run to take an 18-9 lead after a Josh Olsen 3-pointer with 9:07 left until halftime. Utah Valley later extended its lead to 20-9 following a jumper by Heck.

That is when Dissly got hot for the Bobcats as he connected on four straight 3-pointers to cut the Wolverine lead to 26-23 with 3:50 to play in the half.

"Dissly got away from us in the first half," Hunsaker said. "He had a terrific game, and we ran a number of players at him."

Troyer countered Dissly's scoring with a 3-pointer and Joe Walker hit a free throw to give the Wolverines a 30-23 lead. Dissly scored a basket with 30 seconds left in the half to give Utah Valley a 30-25 lead at halftime.

Utah Valley led 36-30 early in the second half but MSU then scored six straight points to tie the game at 36 on a Dissly 3-pointer with 12:44 to play.

Montana State would get no closer as Toolson 3-pointer quickly gave the Wolverines the lead again at 39-36.

The Bobcats got within three points at 41-38 with nine minutes left in the game before a 3-pointer by Peterson, a free throw by Chris Bailey and a put back by Joe Walker gave Utah Valley a 49-41 lead with five minutes left in the game.

The Wolverines maintained a lead of seven points or greater in the final minutes and went nine for 10 from the foul line in the final 1:28.

"We battled through a tough game," Hunsaker said. "We worked hard defensively and played our hearts out down the stretch."

The Wolverines return to the road for another game at Big Sky Conference foe Idaho State on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Utah Valley returns to the McKay Center on Friday at 7 p.m. when they host SUU.