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UVU junior guard Blaze Nield (3) goes up for a shot during the 83-45 Wolverine win over Idaho in the 2021 Venue Twin SoCal Challenge at the Pavilion at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. (Courtesy Ken Pagliaro Photography)

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UVU sophomore center Fardaws Aimaq poses for a photo after the 83-45 Wolverine win over Idaho in the 2021 Venue Twin SoCal Challenge at the Pavilion at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. (Courtesy Ken Pagliaro Photography)

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UVU sophomore center Fardaws Aimaq (11) goes up for a jump ball during the 83-45 Wolverine win over Idaho in the 2021 Venue Twin SoCal Challenge at the Pavilion at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. (Courtesy Ken Pagliaro Photography)

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When Idaho guard Trevante Anderson made a layup just over two minutes into Monday’s game against Utah Valley at the 2021 Venue Twin SoCal Challenge at the Pavilion at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., it probably seemed pretty routine to the Vandals.

It made the score 5-2 in favor of the Wolverines with a lot of basketball yet to be played — but it would be the only time Idaho would even be within shouting distance of UVU.

The Wolverines put together a 23-0 run over the next seven minutes and never looked back, dominating the game in all areas to rout the Vandals, 83-45.

“If they had made of their open shots, it could’ve been a very different game,” UVU head coach Mark Madsen said. “Both Idaho’s defensive and offensive schemes are good and hard to prepare for. We were up but we had to treat the game like it was 0-0. We needed to sustain our focus because the goals of these guys are lofty and high, which is how it should be.”

With such a lopsided score, the Wolverines got the chance to play everyone on the bench and as a result the numbers were evenly distributed. Nine UVU players had between six and 14 points.

The Wolverines were led by 14 points and 16 rebounds from sophomore center Fardaws Aimaq, while UVU junior guard Connor Harding had 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Wolverine sophomore forward/center Tim Fuller add 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field.

“Fardaws was dominant but there were a lot of guys who had great performances,” Madsen said. “Connor had a great game. Justin Harmon’s energy always surpasses the normal level in a game. I wish you could’ve heard the guys on the bench being open with each other and motivating each other.”

After losing by 20 points at Boise State to start the season, UVU has responded with four straight wins (three of which have been by double digits).

Madsen attributed the improved performance to having strong leadership on the team.

“It starts with our team captains in Jaden McClanahan, Fardaws Aimaq, Connor Harding and Colby Leifson,” Madsen said. “The leadership on this team is phenomenal. When your best players are your most professional, it creates a culture.”

Aimaq said he feels like the Wolverines are getting the pieces to come together.

“After that first loss that we took, we sat down as a team and talked about what we were going to have to do as a team, especially with some of our main guys being out,” Aimaq said. “The coaching staff is going to put us in the best position to succeed and they’ve done that. We just have to continue to put our trust in the coaches, take what they have planned for us and execute it the best that we can.”

He knows that there are big challenges down the road — including facing a solid Nicholls State team in the finals of the SoCal Challenge on Wednesday — and so UVU has to keep improving.

“We have to stay locked in,” Aimaq said. “The guys are not satisfied. UVU hasn’t gone 4-1 since I think 2016. You see stuff like that and it can be easy to be complacent. But I think that for the group of guys we have, that’s not enough. What we want is a championship, so I think the guys are going to stay locked in and focused. We’ve got a tough game coming up on Wednesday and then more later on with the schedule that we have.”

For his part, Madsen said he’s enjoying seeing his team progress.

“As a coach, it is very gratifying,” Madsen said. “The best teams I’ve a part of have been player-led programs — and this is a player-led program. Of course there will be ups and downs. Very few teams go 30-0. But when you have the talent and the character that these players have, it really makes it a lot of fun.”

The Wolverines will play the Colonels at the Pavilion at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. MT and will be broadcasted on FloHoops and ESPN 960 AM. UVU then heads home for a matchup with Denver on Saturday. Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. MT, in the UCCU Center.

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