Toolson's 23 helps UVU continue unbeaten WAC run

Jan 19, 2018, 04:39 am

EDINBURG, Texas -- Conner Toolson scored a season-high 23 points and Kenneth Ogbe added 17 as Utah Valley remained unbeaten in conference play with an 84-76 win over UT Rio Grande Valley on Thursday night.

Akolda Manyang had 15 points and 12 boards for the Wolverines (15-5, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference), and Brandon Randolph dished out a season-high 12 assists as UVU beat the Vaqueros (10-10, 2-2) for the 11th straight time.

UTRGV never led, as Toolson hit a jumper to open the game for the Wolverines, and a brief 2-2 tie was followed by a 6-0 run from UVU. Following a 9-0 Wolverine run midway through the first half, UVU led by 14, its largest lead of the night. The Vaqueros then pulled to within two before a Toolson 3-pointer gave the Wolverines a 51-46 lead heading into halftime.

After the break, UVU surged once again, riding a 10-2 run to a 61-48 lead to open the half. From that point on, UTRGV never managed to lower the margin to less than five.

Nick Dixon paced the Vaqueros with 26 points, and Xavier McDaniel Jr. added 15.