CHICAGO – Isiah Williams scored 22 points to lead Utah Valley past Chicago State 93-82 on Saturday in the Great West Conference opener for both teams.
Williams struggled from the field, making just 5 of 18 shots, but three of those were 3-pointers, and he converted 9 of 13 free throws for the Wolverines (8-8), who won the game at the free-throw line, outscoring the Cougars (3-14) 36-20.
Justin Baker added 14 points for Utah Valley, and Holton Hunsaker and Ben Aird scored 12 points each.
Utah Valley led 40-38 at the half and pulled away late in the game to hand Chicago State its fifth consecutive loss. The Cougars' previous four losses were by an average of 37 points per contest.
Jonathon Montgomery led Chicago State with 20 points. Carl Montgomery, selected the Great West player of the week on Monday after his 30-point performance in a 99-72 loss to TCU on Dec. 28, scored 17.
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