UVSC Shocks Arizona State in Tempe


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TEMPE, Arizona - Utah Valley State's first trip to Pac-10 Country was a memorable one. The Wolverines trailed 68-63 with 3:29 left in the game but over the next three minutes went on a 10-0 run to pick up a 75-71 upset win over the Sun Devils.

"This is a special moment," Utah Valley State coach Dick Hunsaker said. "They stayed with it and competed for 40 minutes. This is just a wonderful time, for a second year program to knock off a Pac-10 team...it's just a wonderful moment in time."

Ben Devoe led the Wolverines with 21 points and 10-13 shooting from the field.

"This is hard to describe," Devoe said. "We worked hard. We want to win and we expect to win and when you do you just can't describe it. This is what sports is all about."

Three other Wolverines finished in double figures in the win. Sylvester Allison scored 14 points and Matt Peterson and Chris Bailey each added 12.

Utah Valley shot 66% from the field in the game and 72% in the 2nd half while Arizona State shot 46%.

The Wolverines' 10-0 runs was sparked by a three-pointer from Allison, baskets by Devoe and Peterson and two free-throws by Bailey.

Utah Valley State took the lead for good at 69-68 on a layup by Devoe with 1:06 left in the game. Following an ASU turnover, Allison nailed a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down and only 17 seconds on the game clock to give the Wovlerines a four-point cushion.

During the final minutes of the contest, ASU turned the ball over four times and Bailey came up with two big steals two help UV seal the victory.

In addition to his 12 points, Bailey had an impressive stat line of 9 assists, four steals and six rebounds.

Despite trailing throughout most of the 2nd half the Wolverine players never lost confidence.

"We knew if we matched their intensity that it would turn our way," said Allison. "We just rely on our defense. Our defense always creates our offense and that's what happened at the end."

Utah Valley trailed 30-26 at half time. In the first three minutes of the 2nd half the Wolverines regained the lead at 36-33 with 17:10 left in the game. Arizona State then went on a 16-5 run to lead 49-41 with 11:43 remaining. They maintained that lead until Devoe's basket with 1:06 left.

"I want the kids to enjoy this," Hunsaker said. "This is a special moment and a special game. We just caught Arizona State at the right time. This is real tribute to our players."

Utah Valley State controlled 18 of the 20 first half minutes. Devoe scored the first four points of the game to give UV a 4-0 lead. The Wolverines led by as many as six points at 22-16 following a Pierre Thomas layup and 24-18 after two Bailey free-throws with 4:38 left in the half.

Devoe scored a basket with 3:11 to give the Wolverines a 26-22 lead. UV then went scoreless of the final three minutes of the first half and ASU took its first lead of the game at 29-26 after a Bryson Krueger three pointer with 2:22 left in the 1st half. The Wolverines shot 56% in the first half.

Utah Valley will have some time off to relish their big win before returning to action next Saturday at Boise State at 2:00pm. The game can be heard live on 1400 KSTAR.

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