Utah Valley basketball surprises Oregon State 70-68
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Isiah Williams scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half and Jordan Swarbrick calmly hit two free throws with three seconds left as Utah Valley knocked off Pac-10 program Oregon State on Wednesday in front of 3,514 fans at Gill Coliseum.
Swarbrick, a 6-foot-7 senior forward, acknowledged some nerves when he went to the foul line with the game up for grabs.
"Two free shots, you've just got to stick them, and I did," he said.
Swarbrick finished with a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Holton Hunsaker added all nine of his points in the second half, including a crucial 3-pointer late in the game.
"It was a great win, a special win. These don't come often," said UVU coach Dick Hunsaker. "Isiah was sensational. We had 29 points out of the backcourt in the second half and that was huge.
"I'm so happy for the players and the Utah Valley community; the faculty, staff and the students."
The Wolverines (3-3) erased a seven-point halftime deficit and outscored the Beavers (3-3) 44-35 in the second half. UVU outrebounded OSU 48-32 overall, including 29-11 in the second half.
Oregon State built a 42-34 lead before an 8-0 UVU run tied the game. Swarbrick started the run with a jumper before back-to-back 3-pointers from Williams and Hunsaker. The game was tied six more times from that point.
It was 52-52 when an OSU free throw gave the Beavers their final lead of the game. Geddes Robinson's offensive rebound and putback gave the Wolverines a one-point lead on the next possession and UVU didn't trail again.
Utah Valley led by one, 63-62, when Holton Hunsaker hit a big 3-pointer to make it a four-point lead with 2:59 left. Following an OSU turnover, Williams drove the lane and scored to put the Wolverines up 68-62 at the 2:35 mark.
Utah Valley didn't have a timeout to take after Oregon State's Calvin Haynes tied the game on a layup with 11.7 seconds left. Holton Hunsaker brought the ball up the floor and passed to Swarbrick, who drove to the basket and was fouled by Joe Burton.
An attempt by Oregon State's Ahmad Starks from just inside half-court bounced off the rim at the buzzer.
"We just attacked," Coach Hunsaker said of his team's final possession. "We did a great job, got up the court, 40 minutes of pressure. It was a terrific win."
In the first half, Swarbrick scored 11 — including three 3-pointers — and the Wolverines led 26-23 before a 10-0 run to end the half put Oregon State up 33-26.
Utah Valley struggled throughout against the Beavers' 1-3-1 trapping zone, finishing with 24 turnovers. But the Wolverines, who had a 48-32 rebounding edge, were patient enough to find open shots.
"We kind of got the hang of it, of how to attack it," Swarbrick said. "Luckily we were able to remain poised and get some good open looks and knock some down."
Haynes scored 15 points, while Starks, Omari Johnson and Lathen Wallace each had 12 for Oregon State.
Coach Hunsaker has recorded two big wins over Oregon State in his career. In 1990, his Ball State club defeated the fourth-seeded Beavers in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
It's also Utah Valley University and Dick Hunsaker's second win over a Pac-10 school on the road, including a 75-71 win Arizona State in December of 2005.
The Wolverines return home this Saturday to host Sacramento State in the UCCU at 7 p.m. MT.
Yep, my husband made the 2 winning points!! Honestly, I have never seen Coach Hunsaker so HAPPY!! Well that is basically what we have been up to lately. Now I need to go get ready for his game tonight vs. Sac State! COME SUPPORT and wear GREEN!
love it...just love it :) great to talk to you last night! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWoo Woo! Jordan, Jordan!!
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