Fardaws Aimaq recorded his nation-leading 17th double-double of the season with 15 points and 14 rebounds while Connor Harding added 12 and Le’Tre Darthard 11 to lead Utah Valley to a 58-41 win over Lamar on Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center.

Utah Valley improves to 13-6 overall and 4-3 in WAC play, while Lamar falls to 2-17 overall and 0-8 in league play.

“Obviously it was a game where the tempo changed throughout the game at different times,” said Utah Valley head coach Mark Madsen. “I was proud of our players. I think that you have to give Lamar a lot of credit. They played with a lot of tenacity and determination. Early in the game they were beating us on the offensive boards but our guys came back and really took control of the boards in the second half. When its all said and done you have to make plays to win basketball games. We made plays today. We battled and fought. Lamar’s record doesn’t reflect how good they are. They’ve battled through a lot of adversity this season and they are very well coached.”

The two teams played to an 8-8 tie through the first five minutes of the game before the Wolverines went on an 22-3 run over the next 12 minutes, culminating with an Aimaq dunk and a Darthard three as UVU took a 30-11 lead with 3:33 to play in the first half. Lamar then scored five of the final seven points as the Wolverines took a 32-16 lead into the break.

Darthard put in a bucket to give Utah Valley a 36-18 lead three minutes into the second half. Lamar then went on an 11-3 run to cut the UVU lead to 10 points, 39-29, with 10:30 remaining in the game. The Wolverines responded with seven unanswered points to extend their lead to 17 points, 46-29, with eight minutes to play. The two teams played even the rest of the way as UVU secured the 58-41 win.

Aimaq did most of his damage at the free throw line where he knocked down 11 of 12 shots en route to his 15 points. He also pulled down 14 rebounds with two assists, one block, and a steal.

Harding scored his 12 points on 3 of 5 shooting, including a pair of threes. He also had three rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Darthard was also in double figures with 11 points, connecting on 3 of 7 shots, including one from long range. He also had three rebounds with a pair of assists.

Asa McCord came off the bench to score six points, while Blaze Nield and Tim Fuller each had five.

As a team, Utah Valley shot 40% (14-39) from the field, including a 31% (5-16) mark from beyond the arc. The Wolverines held Lamar to 27.9% (17-61) shooting from the floor and a 0 of 9 mark from long range. The Wolverines outrebounded Lamar 43-34.

Utah Valley now heads out on the road as the Wolverines travel to the Windy City to take on Chicago State on Thursday, Jan. 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and over the air waves on ESPN 960 AM radio. UVU’s next home game will be Feb. 10 against Grand Canyon.

UVU women’s basketball falls at Lamar in 2OT

Utah Valley University had three players reach double figures but came up short in double overtime at Lamar University, 59-55, on Saturday afternoon at the Montagne Center.

Shay Fano had 14 points to lead Utah Valley (7-10, 2-4), while Madison Grange and Josie Williams had 10 points each. Williams also grabbed 12 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the season. Angel Hastings had 15 points for Lamar (9-7, 4-3) with six coming in the overtime periods and Akasha Davis added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The game was UVU’s first overtime contest since the 2020 season and first game to go at least two overtimes since 2009 in a game that last three extra frames at Southern Utah.

In the second OT, the Wolverines led 53-52 with under one minute remaining. Williams hauled in a defensive rebound and as UVU head coach Dan Nielson was attempting to call timeout, contact underneath the basket led to an official review. Williams was eventually called for an intentional foul, her fifth foul of the game, which led to two free throws and the ball for the Cardinals. Hastings went 1-for-2 from the line and on the ensuing possession, Davis scored in the post to give Lamar the lead for good.

The Wolverines shot 49% (24-for-49) overall and held Lamar to just 29.6% (21-for-71) but 17 offensive rebounds for the Cardinals and 22 UVU turnovers led to 22 more attempts from the floor. Utah Valley had a 44-36 edge on the boards but Lamar’s prowess on the offensive glass led to 14 points.

Newsletter