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In their first meeting of the year, Utah Valley State guard Ryan Toolson erupted for 33 points against Chicago State on 11-of-13 shooting from the field. He was 6-for-6 from the 3-point line.
Any guesses what Chicago State coach Benjy Taylor's game plan will be centered on when the two teams play a rematch Saturday night at the McKay Events Center?
Stop Toolson at all costs.
Good idea.
Good luck.
Toolson has torched nearly everyone that UVSC has played. He averages 23.1 points per game despite having other teams concoct schemes to slow him down.
But while Chicago State zeros in on Toolson, UVSC will have its hands full with David Holston, Chicago State's top player.
Holston hit seven 3-pointers and scored 39 points to lead Chicago State past Texas-Pan American 91-82 last week and he leads the team in scoring with 23.2 points per game. Holston is shooting 41 percent from the 3-point line and has made 111 3-pointers this year.
"He's (Holston) really a difficult matchup and he has been for every team he's played against," said UVSC coach Dick Hunsaker. "We need a great effort from everybody. We need to see our best effort off our bench; that's what Chicago State has been getting. They're a team that's really improved. We'll need an inspired effort."
The improvement Hunsaker talks about has come since Chicago State beat UVSC 85-76 in early January. In that game, Chicago State shot 56 percent from the field and 54 percent from the 3-point line. Holston led the Cougars with 28 points.
Chicago State (9-15) is coming off a win at Texas-Pan American (14-11), thanks to a sizzling shooting performance that saw the Cougars shoot 70 percent from the field. Holston was 15-of-22, including 7-of-12 from 3-point range. The other four starters combined to go 12-for-16 from the field.
"We both have terrific players (Toolson and Holston), but it's not about one player on each team," Hunsaker added. "This is a matchup between Chicago State and Utah Valley. We need a big effort from everybody."
Prior to the men's game, Utah Valley State women's team will host Texas-Pan American in a 3:05 p.m. tipoff.
It will be the first meeting of the season between the two schools. UVSC is coming off a 78-69 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology on Thursday night. Robyn Fairbanks scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help UVSC improve to 14-7 on the year.
Opponent: Chicago State Cougars
Conference: Independent
Location: McKay Events Center
Time: 7:05 p.m.
Series: Chicago State leads 1-0
Records: UVSC 11-13, Chicago State 9-15
Leading scorers: Chicago State -- David Holston 23.2, UVSC -- Ryan Toolson 23.1
Radio: KSTAR 1400 AM
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