Wolverine Notebook
The Wolverines men’s basketball team extended its winning streak to nine games after a thrilling 99-97 double overtime win at NJIT on Thursday. The victory was UVU’s second straight by just two points after their 68-66 win at Houston Baptist.
Sophomore center Ben Aird turned in a career high 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks for UVU, and Isiah Williams also scored 24.
The Wolverines haven’t lost since their nationally televised home defeat to Wyoming on Jan. 3.
The win put Utah Valley at 16-10 heading into the weekend and also marked head coach Dick Hunsaker’s 350th victory at UVU.
The Wolverines play at home game tonight against Montana Tech
Wrestling snaps losing streak, beats Pac-12 foes
Utah Valley prepared for its anticipated home match against Penn State by snapping a four-match losing streak with wins over Pac-12 programs Stanford and Cal Poly.
Oklahoma transfer Blake Mangum continued his torrid stretch with an 11-3 major decision over Stanford’s Jordan Bryan, while Avery Garner and No. 12 Josh Wilson also logged wins in their bouts against the Cardinal.
165-pounder Ethan Smith won both his bouts, with his second win against Cal Poly giving UVU a 16-7 cushion they ultimately needed to hold on for a 19-17 victory.
Track places well at Air Force
Ali Shields’ 10.91m mark in the triple jump set a UVU record and gave her a sixth-place finish at the Air Force Team Challenge on Jan. 28.
Meanwhile Allah Laryea-Akrong followed up her GWC Player of the Week award by taking second in the 60-meter dash and the 200 meters. Aleina Eisenhower-Winger took first in the mile with a 5:08.26 time.
The men’s team finished fifth overall behind Tim Rowberry’s first-place finish in the men’s mile with fellow Wolverine Cliff Nielson taking third.
Wolverines place among nation’s best
Rebounding is fast becoming an idenity both the men’s and women’s basketball teams can hang their hats on. Men’s senior Geddes Robinson ranked 13th in the nation in rebounds (10.5rpg) heading into the weekend and fourth in offensive rebounds per game (4.2).
Meanwhile women’s junior Sammie Jensen checked in at 17th in rebounding at the week’s end, pulling down 10.7 boards per game.
Men’s sophomore guard Holton Hunsaker uncharactistically missed 2-of-4 from the free throw line against Houston Baptist on Feb. 4, but still ranked 7th in the nation with a 90.4 percent clip from the line.
By Matt Petersen
Sports Editor