Utah Valley Loses To Seattle, Streak Ends At 11

OREM, Utah – The Utah Valley Wolverines took on the Seattle University Redhawks at home in the UCCU Center on Saturday.

The Wolverines came into this game as the hottest team in the Western Athletic Conference, winning 11 straight and 12 of the last 13. The Redhawks have played well also, winning 8 of their last 11.

Both Seattle University and Utah Valley entered the game undefeated against WAC opponents. The winner of the game receives sole possession of the #1 seed in the conference.

First Half

The Wolverines fouled the Redhawks leading scorer, Cameron Tyson, on a three-pointer on the first possession of the game.

UVU then took off on a 9-2 run.

Starting off strong with 3 points from #4 Trey Woodbury!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #threepoints #gogreen #ballislife pic.twitter.com/3H7cZ1dXhS

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

The Wolverines played tough defense early, getting multiple blocks and steals.

Killer block from #55 Aziz Bandaogo!! Let’s go Wolverines!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #blockparty #basketball #ballislife #gogreen pic.twitter.com/IR1tNcDFaE

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

Tyson was the only player keeping Seattle U afloat. Tyson scored all 9 of the team’s first points.

Starting off HOT 🔥 Cam with his second quick triple of the half. Redhawks down 9-16 with 15:27 left in the half pic.twitter.com/JEPZyYKj2N

— Seattle U Men’s Basketball (@seattleumbb) January 15, 2023

It was the opposite story for UVU. At that same time, all five starters had scored for the Wolverines.

Seattle U then went on a 19-5 run over the next six minutes, taking their first lead of the game.

Schu step back 🪣 pic.twitter.com/4ylLa6iJpD

— Seattle U Men’s Basketball (@seattleumbb) January 15, 2023

Both teams were shooting the ball well in the first half. The Redhawks shot 44% from three and the Wolverines shot 40%.

UVU fouled the Redhawks on another three after closing the lead down to 2.

The setback didn’t stop the Wolverines from taking the lead before the end of the half.

#4 Trey Woodbury giving UVU the lead!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #gametime #letsgo #gogreen pic.twitter.com/UqN7xRn8ZA

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

The Wolverines lead at halftime, 44-42.

HALFTIME#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #gametime #halftime #gogreen #ballislife pic.twitter.com/pfSqwhalE3

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

Second Half

Aziz Bandaogo opened the second half with a monster reverse dunk.

#0 Justin Harmon and #55 Aziz Bandaogo starting the 2nd half strong with an alley-oop!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #ballislife #alleyoop pic.twitter.com/uIzZKsPAeH

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

Bandaogo followed up with another alley-oop just minutes later.

Alley-Oop part two from #4 Trey Woodbury and #55 Aziz Bandaogo!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #alleyoop #basketball #gogreen #ballislife pic.twitter.com/3vzrgpRSoK

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

And a third one shortly after that.

Seattle U pulled off a highlight inbounds lob pass which caused the Wolverines to call a timeout.

BIG RIG DROPS THE HAMMER 🔨 pic.twitter.com/AzGQBQqUVm

— Seattle U Men’s Basketball (@seattleumbb) January 15, 2023

Aziz Bandaogo and Tim Fuller both had the hot hand for UVU, combining for 12/15 from the field halfway through the second half.

The highlight defensive plays continued to pour in for Utah Valley.

Block Party from #1 Le’Tre Darthard!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #blockparty #letsgo pic.twitter.com/zcXRUArZfq

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

With two and a half minutes left in the game, Seattle U tied it at 73 a piece.

Finishing is just too easy sometimes for Schu 🤷‍♂️. Redhawks tied at 73 a piece with 2 minutes left in the second half. pic.twitter.com/DaLFdz0ZBC

— Seattle U Men’s Basketball (@seattleumbb) January 15, 2023

Both teams then started to trade buckets, there were more than five lead changes in the last five minutes.

With a minute left, the game was tied at 76.

After the Redhawks took the lead, Aziz Bandaogo re-tied the game on a powerful putback dunk.

Rebound caught and dunked by our very own #55 Aziz Bandaogo!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #rebound #dunk #gogreen pic.twitter.com/M5DSjO5DXw

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

Riley Grigsby banked in a three to give Seattle U a three-point lead.

After trading free throw attempts, Utah Valley fell to Seattle U. The final score was 85-80.

FINAL#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #final #gogreen pic.twitter.com/UfjJgKQl87

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) January 15, 2023

Aziz Bandaogo had a great game for the Wolverines. He finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists while shooting 90% from the field.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.