OREM — Dick Hunsaker does not like changing line-ups game in and game out.
But due to injuries and other circumstances, Hunsaker has been forced to play that card. On Tuesday, Hunsaker's line-up proved to be too much for the Adams State Grizzlies.
Utah Valley's bench scored 50 points in a 79-57 win over the Div. II Grizzlies. UVSC has now won four straight games.
Ryan Toolson led the attack with 14 second-half points, while Carl Lee added 13 points and nine rebounds. Jon Bell scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. David Heck added another 11 points for the Wolverines in the win.
"Tonight we got great life," Hunsaker said. "Guys came off the bench and gave great production."
Hunsaker was especially pleased with Bell's production in 27 minutes of action. Bell had missed the last three games due to injury.
"Having Jon Bell's presence is a psychological lift as well as a physical," Hunsaker said. "His physical presence means a lot to our team. He's an energy player."
With UVSC leading 30-26 at halftime, Bell scored the first eight points of the second half to give UVSC a 38-28 lead three minutes into the second half.
Late in the second half, it was Toolson's production that helped the Wolverines put the game away. The freshman guard scored 10 points in a four-minute span to give UVSC a 60-50 lead with eight minutes left in the game.
"Ryan Toolson is a very solid player," Hunsaker said. "He settled in the second half and settled into some offensive rhythm shots."
A Toolson play which drew an ovation from his teammates and fans came on the defensive end. With five minutes left in the game, Toolson dove head first to knock the ball loose from Adam State guard Brandon Norris. Toolson's play set up a Ronnie Price three pointer. Price finished with a team-high 21 points.
UVSC shot 56 percent from the field for the game and held Adams State to 35 percent. This is the third straight game UVSC has held an opponent to under 40 percent shooting.
"It's something we can build on," Hunsaker said on his team's defensive effort. "We still have a lot of work ahead of us."
The Wolverines' biggest lead in the first half was six points.
"I thought the first half we were a little sluggish," Hunsaker said.
UVSC will host Montana Tech, Saturday at 7 p.m. at the McKay Center.