UVU men’s basketball rides free-throw shooting to victory over UMKC

Kansas City, Mo.—The Utah Valley University men’s basketball team knocked down 10 consecutive free throws in the final 1:05 to closeout the Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos for a 90-79 win Thursday night. The Wolverines shot a blistering 54.5 percent from 3-point range, compared to the Roos’ 32.0 percent.

Konner Frey led UVU with 21 points. Marcel Davis and Jaden Jackson chipped in 18 points each.

“It was a good night,” said Utah Valley head coach Mark Pope in a statement to wolverine green.com. “We’re in the middle of something really special. It’s hard to understand unless you are paying really close attention. What these young men are doing is really incredible. These guys are growing so fast right before our eyes. It is so inspiring to be on this bench and watch these young men rise up. I’m happy for our team and am so proud of them. This was a big win for us tonight.”

UVU put together a complete defensive efforts of the season in the first half by denying UMKC the painted area and allowing just three Roos on the board in the first frame. The Wolverines took a 39-25 lead into halftime behind 8-for-16 3-point shooting in the first half.

The Roos made multiple attempts to cut into the Wolverine lead in the second half, and whittled the margin to little as five. But UVU answered each attempt with their own runs and took the lead back to as many as 15 points with 8:18 to play.

The exclamation point of the night came with 6:05 remaining when Marcel Davis served up a lob to Dayon Goodman, who elevated behind the defense and put in the reverse, two-handed ally-oop.

The Wolverines finished the night shooting 32-for-36 from the free-throw line, including 10-for-10 to close out the game as the Roos made their final attempt at a comeback.

UVU will travel to Chicago, IL to face the Chicago State Cougars Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. MT. The game will only be broadcast on radio ESPN 960 AM.