Darthard’s Seven Three’s Lead Utah Valley To Win Over LBSU

OREM, Utah – Le’Tre Darthard filled up the stat sheet as four Wolverines scored in double-figures, lifting UVU to a 88-78 win over visiting Long Beach State.

Utah Valley (4-4) hosted Long Beach State (4-4) at the UCCU Center on Saturday, December 3.

The Wolverines came in to the game on the heels of an 18-point loss at Boise State a week ago. The loss wrapped up a stretch of four straight road games for the Wolverines. UVU lost three of four on the trip.

FINAL 🫡😤#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #basketball #college #dub #adidas #win pic.twitter.com/2NGpYBuslR

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) December 3, 2022

Darthard finished with 25 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 7-of-11 from deep. The junior from Denton, TX also added four rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in the win.

Aziz Bandaogo finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds for UVU. Justin Harmon and Trey Woodbury each scored 19.

Tobias Rotegaard led the Beach with 16 points. Lassina Traore pickup a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.

First Half

The Beach opened the scoring with an 8-0 run as Utah Valley committed four turnovers before knocking down their first shot.

All Beach early! Aboubacar Traore on the drive here, but @LBSUMBB on an 8-0 run to force a Utah Valley timeout from Mark Madsen. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/6dtujeSZzh

— LBSU Men's Basketball 🏆 (@LBSUMBB) December 3, 2022

Aziz Bandaogo scored the Wolverines first points when he pulled down an offensive rebounding before powering his way up for a two handed dunk.

Justin Harmon followed with a dunk of his own and UVU was off and running, answering Long Beach State’s run with a 12-0 stretch of their own.

#55 Aziz Bandaogo starting strong with an epic dunk!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #dunk #adidas #college pic.twitter.com/6ggGHyj87A

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) December 3, 2022

UVU increased their lead to 21-10 when Bandaogo hit the second of two free throws with 11:29 left.

LBSU used back-to-back three’s the cut to four, 25-21, but Justin Harmon answered with two buckets to keep UVU in front 29-21.

A 10-0 Beach run gave Long Beach State a 33-31 lead. They would later ecpand the advantage to five at 38-33 with 3:32 left in the half.

The rally continues for Long Beach State! Marcus Tsohonis with the AND ONE and LBSU on top 38-33 with 3:33 to play in the first half. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/ghrENxVgFY

— LBSU Men's Basketball 🏆 (@LBSUMBB) December 3, 2022

Utah Valley scored the next six points to take a one point lead. Both programs would battle back and forth for the remainder of the half. Long Beach State took a one point lead into the locker room.

Tobias Rotegaard has 12 at the half, including this three! Fun one here in Orem, as the Beach leads 45-44 at the half! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/eNsVt44An8

— LBSU Men's Basketball 🏆 (@LBSUMBB) December 3, 2022

Second Half

After a slow start to the half for both teams, UVU began to pull away.

A Trey Woodbury three sparked a 9-2 Wolverine run as they built a 55-48 lead.

Swat from #55 Aziz Bandaogo leading to a dunk by #4 Trey Woodbury!! Keep it up guys!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #college #swat #dunk #adidas pic.twitter.com/9JUGRGm2cD

— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) December 3, 2022

Later in the half, Le’Tre Darthard’s sixth three gave Utah Valley their largest lead at 68-56.

UVU bumped their advantage to 15 as Long Beach State’s offense went cold. The Beach managed just four field goals over an 8:20 stretch.

LBSU cut the lead to six at 76-70 but couldn’t get over the hump as Utah Valley won 88-78.

Up Next

Utah Valley makes the short drive from Orem to Provo when they face the Brigham Young Cougars (6-3) in the Marriott Center on Wednesday, December 7. Tip-off for this game is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MST).

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