POCATELLO, Idaho- A late first half run propelled the Utah Valley men's basketball team past Idaho State 88-77 on Wednesday night at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah. The Bengals are 4-4 and UVU improved to 9-4 and increased their home win streak to 19 games.
Gary Chivichyan led the Bengal attack with a season-high 23 points. He was 7-10 from the field, 5-8 from the three-point line and 4-4 from the free throw line in 29 minutes of play.
Brandon Boyd had 16 points and
Chier Maker had 12 points and nine rebounds.
Balint Mocsan added 12 points.
"Gary played good and I think Brandon and Balint were solid," Idaho State coach
Bill Evans said. "Chier was really good. The last seven minutes of the game I put him at the five. He did a really good job for us."
Idaho State shot 50 percent from the field (27-54) but the Wolverines shot 56 percent (30-54). The Bengals were 12-28 from the three-point line and 11-17 from the free throw line.
UVU was 25-27 from the free throw line and 3-19 from the three-point line. The Bengals were out rebounded 33-23.
Idaho State led 29-19 with 6:39 left in the first half following a
Jared Stutzman 3-pointer. The Wolverines then went on a 21-4 run over the final six minutes of the half to take a 40-33 lead at halftime. UVU extended its lead to 47-33 with 17:47 left in the game.
Idaho State countered the UVU run with a 15-4 run to whittle its deficit to 51-48 with 12:48 left in game after baskets by Boyd and Maker and a 3-pointer by Chivichyan.
ISU got no closer than 53-50 with 12:11 remaining after another basket by Chivichyan.
UVU would extend its lead back to 14 at 66-52 with 7:43 left. ISU got no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Idaho State plays at UCSB on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. mountain time.
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