OREM — Alfonzo Hubbard scored a career-best 24 points and Utah Valley University shot 60 percent from the floor on its way to an 83-62 victory over Houston Baptist University on Saturday night in the UCCU Center.
Hubbard's career mark came on 10-of-14 shooting, an efficiency that was indicative of the UVU's (9-10, 1-1 GWC) night as a whole. Four Wolverines finished in double figures and the team finished the night at 29-for-48 from the field.
"It's great to get a win at home and establish some spirit and positive energy going forward. We shared the ball well and made quality passes that led to good looks," said UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker "We were also able to turn some defense into offense. Certainly the activity of players and alertness of knocking balls loose was a big plus and that helped us a lot."
In addition to hitting above 60 percent for the second straight game, UVU also forced 26 turnovers, including a season-high 12 steals.
Behind Hubbard's 24, Aird tallied 17 to go along with nine rebounds. Hunsaker's 14 and Johnson's 10 rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Wolverines. Thompson dropped eight points but also dished out a game-high eight assists along with seven rebounds and three steals.
IDAHO STATE 54, SOUTHERN UTAH 53: At Cedar City, after starting 3-0 in Big Sky Conference play, Southern Utah (5-10) dropped its third-straight to fall to 3-3 after a loss to visiting Idaho State (3-11, 2-3 BSC) and former SUU coach Bill Evans on Saturday. The Thunderbirds and Bengals went back-and-forth all game, but the visitors held on in the final seconds.
"Give credit to Idaho State, they were more mentally tough than we were tonight," stated SUU head coach Nick Robinson. "The game was tied 14 times and they battled back every time."
DIXIE STATE 85, AZUSA PACIFIC 57: At Azusa, Calif., the question arose after Dixie State's tough home win on Thursday against Grand Canyon — would there be a let down on the road at Azusa Pacific? From the seven-minute mark of the first half on, the answer was an emphatic no.
McKay Massey led all DSC (11-4) scorers with 16 points and Zach Robbins thrilled a partisan crowd from his hometown with two monster alley-oop dunks leading Dixie State to a convincing 85-57 win over the host Cougars.