Seniors show off in finale

There will be no more college basketball for two seniors who were honored in the final men’s game of the season.

They didn’t go out quietly.

Jordan Brady and Richard Troyer helped Utah Valley to a winning season in a 78-51 win against Cal State Bakersfield. This win makes it 25 straight winning seasons for the men’s basketball team.

Brady had a career-high 17-rebound performance to go with 19 points while Troyer added 13 points that included three 3-pointers.

"I’m happy for our kids and for our seniors," Utah Valley coach Dick Hunsaker said. "Richard had a great defensive game for us, and Jordan Brady had a superb game. It means a lot for our guys to get a winning record as they help build a winning tradition during these transitional years."

It was Brady, with No. 32 banners in the stands and extra family on hand, who sparked the Wolverines with a second-half dunk that broke the game open for Utah Valley. The Wolverines outscored Bakersfield 46-22 in the second half.

"We played arguably our best half of the season," Hunsaker said.

Troyer, from Belize, finished the game 5 of 14 from the field but played nervous in the first half with his parents watching him play in college for the first time.

"I missed a couple shots in the first half, but I calmed down in the second half," Troyer said.

Troyer is just the second player to play all four years at the Division I level for the school. This season he averaged 9.8 points and five rebounds per game.

For Brady, there were no nerves playing in his final game after two seasons at Utah Valley. Brady, from Vernal, Utah, played for Salt Lake Community College before transferring to play for the Wolverines. This season he averaged 11.2 points per game and lead the team in rebounds with 8.4 a game.

"I’ve been lucky to have the career I’ve had," Brady said. "To be able to come out and have a game like this in my last game in college, it really does mean a lot."

Brady said if an opportunity to continue playing basketball comes, he would love to do it after he graduates in April.

Troyer, who has played for the Belize national team, said he likes Utah and might stay for a while, and, if the national team calls, he’ll play for them again.

Last season both seniors helped the Wolverines to a 22-7 record, the best Independent record since Notre Dame went 23-6 in 1985-86.