Darthard, Aimaq lead Utah Valley past Washington 68-52

Dec 22, 2021, 04:40 am

SEATTLE -- — Le'Tre Darthard scored 16 points, Fardaws Aimaq added 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Utah Valley shut down Washington 68-52 on Tuesday night.

Darthard hit two 3-pointers early in the second half to start a 15-4 run that gave the Wolverines a 54-39 lead with 7:49 remaining in the game. The Huskies drew within nine near the 5-minute mark but Tim Caesar responded with a 3-pointer and the Wolverines led by double digits the rest of the way.

Caesar and Tim Fuller scored 10 points each for Utah Valley (9-3).

Terrell Brown Jr. had 23 points, six rebounds and three steals for Washington (5-5). Emmitt Matthews Jr. added 10 points.

Washington scored first and did not lead again until Brown hit a jumper for a 24-23 lead near the 3-minute mark of the first half. Washington's last — and biggest — lead was two points, on a free throw by Emmitt Matthews Jr. for a 25-23 lead. Utah Valley took the lead for good with a 7-2 run to close the first half, then scored the first five points of the second half.

The Huskies, who continue to battle COVID-19 within their program, struggled in nearly every phase of the game on their home floor. They shot 35%, missed all 11 of their 3-point tries, were 14 of 26 from the free-throw line and were outrebounded 44-26. They had two assists, both by Brown.

It was Washington's second game this month. The Huskies rescheduled a game at Arizona, forfeited to UCLA and canceled a game at Gonzaga because of COVID issues within the program. On Tuesday night, the Huskies were missing senior forward Jamal Bey as well as assistants Will Conroy, Wyking Jones and Quincy Pondexter who are in COVID-19 protocols.

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