Nov. 22, 2008
OREM, Utah - Utah Valley's senior guards Josh Olsen and Ryan Toolson led the Wolverines to their third straight victory Saturday in the McKay Center as they beat Sun Belt Conference-opponent Louisiana-Lafayette (0-3) 71-41 and earned the program's best start in its NCAA history.
The last time UVU began a season winning its first two games was in the 2006-07 season, the year the team finished with a 22-7 record. Now having won its first three games of the season, the Wolverines are off to their best start since beginning competition at the NCAA Division I level.
"I thought we played with tremendous energy tonight," UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "I thought we came out enthused and competitive. I thought we executed a game plan as well as we have yet in this early season. I thought we did a good job taking care of the basketball against their pressure and minimizing their second shots and quickness to the boards. I thought Josh and Ryan played tremendous. We have excellent senior guards. They were outstanding tonight, and it was a great team effort."
Olsen led all scorers with 19 points in the game, setting a new career high mark. He also contributed four assists and four rebounds without committing a turnover and shooting 60 percent from the floor (6-for-10). Toolson scored 14 points even though he was double-teamed most of the night. He also brought down eight boards on the night. Junior Tyray Petty was the other Wolverine in double digits with 10 points and five rebounds. UVU also outrebounded Louisiana-Lafayette 41-25 in the game.
Utah Valley had an 11-point, 33-22 lead at the half after holding Louisiana-Lafayette to only 28 percent shooting from the floor. Olsen had eight points at the half to lead the Wolverines on 2-of-4 shooting from behind the arc and 2-of-2 shooting at the line. Utah Valley also forced five turnovers in the first period.
The Wolverine's second-half lead extended to 29 points with UVU up 55-26 and 13:21 to play in the game. The Ragin' Cajuns reduced their deficit to 22 points with 8:37 left to play, but UVU's strong defense would not let them get any closer.
Olsen and Toolson scored 11 points apiece in the second half. The Wolverines shot 59.1 percent from the floor in the half and held Louisiana-Lafayette to a 33.3 field goal percentage. Louisiana-Lafayette committed 10 more turnovers in the second half.
Up next for Utah Valley will be the team's fourth home game in a row as they host Montana Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Grizzlies were picked to finish second in the Big Sky Conference this season.
Olsen led all scorers with his career-high 19-point performance.
