UVU basketball: Wolverines' Toolson scores 'hardest' points in win

OREM — Once again, Ryan Toolson's shooting proved to be too much for an Utah Valley opponent, as the undefeated Wolverines moved to 4-0 with a 82-75 home win over Montana on Tuesday night.

Toolson's 38 points led all scorers, but the Wolverines needed every bit of his effort down the stretch as a physical Grizzlies squad pulled to within three, 78-75, on a Ryan Staudacher 3-pointer with just 13 seconds to go in the game.

"(Those were) the hardest 38 points I've ever had to make," Toolson said. "They are amazing on defense. They made sure to nudge me on every screen."

The Wolverines shot over 58 percent from the floor on the night, compared to Montana's 50, and finished shooting 27-for-30 from the free-throw line.

"We knew Toolson was tough; we knew he was going to get his," Montana coach Wayne Tinkle said. "But we really needed to limit these other guys.

Those other guys for UVU were Josh Olsen and Jordan Swarbrick, who each tossed in 12 points. Swarbrick netted six of his 12 in the last four minutes of a tight game.

"Really a tough, physical game, we had a very difficult time getting stops," UVU coach Dick Hunsaker said. "I thought they came in with a lot of determination ... but we were able to muster some offense in different ways."

Toolson paced the Wolverines in the first half with 16 points as Utah Valley took a 41-36 lead.

The Wolverines will head out to New York for a Nov. 29 game against Binghamton before returning home Dec. 4 to face UC Santa Barbara.

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Utah Valley 82

Montana 75